Author: The Nation

On August 15, Catholics around the world mark the Assumption of Mary, commemorating the end of her earthly life and assumption into heaven.

It’s a major Christian holiday celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary’s body and soul to Heaven.

Read Also: France unrest: An assumption of racial discrimination and police brutality to humanity

Here are ten facts about the Assumption of Mary:

• As its name indicates, ‘the Assumption of Mary into Heaven’, usually shortened to ‘Assumption’ marks the moment when the Virgin Mary left her earthly life and entered Heaven.
• The holiday’s history and the mystery surrounding it have origins in the first ages of Christian belief, even though the feast day, a solemnity, is only a recent occurrence.
• According to Catholic doctrine, when Mary died, God took her body and soul into paradise.
• The early centuries of the Church are where the dogma of Mary’s Assumption, also known as the “Dormition of Mary” in the Eastern Churches, finds its origins.
• Although a location outside of Jerusalem was acknowledged as Mary’s tomb, the earliest Christians insisted that “no one was there,” according to theologian and vice president and editorial director of EWTN News Matthew Bunson.
• The bishop of Jerusalem, St. Juvenal informed the emperor that Mary ‘died in the presence of all the Apostles, but that her tomb, when opened upon the request of St. Thomas, was found empty; wherefrom the Apostles concluded that the body was taken up to heaven,’ the saint recorded.
• The Church started to adapt its language in the eighth century, around the reign of Pope Adrian, designating the feast day of the Memorial of Mary as the Assumption of Mary.
• The centuries-old legend of Mary’s assumption was a popular one, and saints frequently reflected on it in their writings. But it wasn’t until the 20th century that it had an official definition.
• In the apostolic constitution “Munificentissimus Deus,” issued in 1950, Pope Pius XII made an infallible, “Ex-cathedra” declaration that definitively defined the Assumption dogma.
• In many nations today, the Assumption is observed as a significant feast day and a national holiday. It is considered a holy day of obligation in the majority of nations, including the United States.

The Senate on Tuesday called on the Republic of Korea to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore democracy in Niger Republic, countries in the subregion and the African continent.

The Senate president Godswill Akpabio made this plea when the Special Envoy of the Speaker of the Korean National Assembly, Hon. Suh Byung Soo paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Akpabio also told the envoy that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to turn Nigeria into a country that gives aid just like the Republic of Korea from a country that receives aid.

He said: “We are here to support the Economic Community of West Africa States’ efforts in restoring democracy to many countries in West Africa and beyond.

“We hope that South Korea will work closely with Nigeria in that regard to ensure that democracy thrives, not just in West Africa, but in the whole of Africa, being the best form of government that guarantees development, freedom of speech, and freedom of association.

“That is what Nigeria stands for and I believe strongly that that is what would make for a stable economy going forward.”

The Senate President congratulated South Korea on its 45 years of independence which coincided with the visit.

“At the same time, we particularly congratulate you on your emergence after the three-year Korean War, stronger by recovering from being a receiver of aids Nation to a giver of aids Nation. Nigeria looks forward to joining your league.

“We are very determined in this current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to turn Nigeria from being a country that receives aid to a country that also gives out aid by improving our GDP, internally generated revenue and doing everything right to wipe out corruption, strengthen the Naira and make sure that we remain more focused to be the leading country economically in the whole of West Africa.

“Just like Korea, Nigeria also shortly after independence had its own internal war for almost three years.

“We would have probably done as much as you have, but for a lot of interruptions in our democratic institutions at that time.

“We are hoping now that we have a long term of uninterrupted democracy and that Nigeria looks forward to more development and more progress and freedom of speech.”

He said the Senate and the current administration will work together towards fostering a closer relationship with the Republic of Korea.

He added: “We are happy to note that about 15 percent of your trade-in Africa is with Nigeria as a nation.

“We are hoping that after the meeting between your president and our president, in the next few weeks in the G20 meeting in India, we will even increase the percentage of that trade relationship for the betterment of the two countries.

“On our part, we would like to assure you that this Senate will support your bid for the Expo 2030 to be hosted in Korea.

“At the same time, we have noted your request for a strong Korean-Nigeria parliamentary friendship association and we totally support that move.

“We will do everything to belong to that association to foster a closer working relationship between your parliament and the parliament in Nigeria, which should be for the betterment of the good people of Korea and Nigeria.”

Earlier the leader of the delegation, Hon Soo, noted that August 15th is a meaningful day to Korea being the day the country was liberated and became independent.

He called for the establishment of the Korean-Nigeria Parliamentary Friendship Group to boost the relationship between the two countries.

Soo added: “Unfortunately, five years later, there was a Korean War that broke out in 1950.

So, after three years of the Korean War, the Korean Peninsula was totally destroyed.

“But thanks to international aid and also Koreans’ eagerness for education and hard work, we could recover from the ashes of the war and achieve the miracle of the Han River to become one of the top 10 countries in the world.

Read Also: Senate to consider demand for Tiga, Gari states

“After the end of the Second World War in 1945, there were a lot of newly independent nations, but Korea is the only country in the world that transitioned from a country receiving aid to a country providing aid.

“We really want to share our secrets to our economic miracle with other countries at the World Expo 2030.

“So at the end of November this year, there will be a final vote to select the World Expo venue. So Your Excellency and honourable members of the Senate, I would like to cordially ask for your full support for us.

“So the diplomacy at the administration or the government level is quite important, but I also think that the parliamentary level exchanges between the two countries are also very important.

“There is Korea-Nigeria Parliamentarian Friendship Association that we have already established in the Korean National Assembly.

“So if the Senate of Nigeria establishes a Nigeria-Korea friendship group in your Senate, then it will accelerate the development of bilateral relations.”

Ondo state government has warned kingmakers in the state against producing self-acclaimed Obas without adhering strictly to the laid down due process of selection, approval, installation and presentation of Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office.

The government, however, said anybody that is proclaimed an Oba and wears an unauthorised crown would risk life imprisonment.

The warning was issued at the official presentation of the instrument of appointment and Staff of Office to Oba Oluwasegun Joseph Adetuwo, the Olu of Igodan – Lisa, Oba Olugbemi Sewo, the Oloto/Olura of Igbinsin Oloto and Oba Temidayo Owoyele, the Olikan of Etikan in Okitipupa and Ilaje local government respectively.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who was represented by the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, said the state would not tolerate any turbulence resulting from a breach of due process in the installation of Obas.

He said the state would not hesitate to deal decisively with any prince, Ruling House, or kingmakers that disobeyed government orders in the process of self-aggrandizement.

The governor urged the new monarchs to see their appointments as a divine call to serve their people, warning them to exercise restraint in the use of authority and powers conferred on them.

Read Also: ‘How Ondo encourages business innovation’

Akeredolu also warned the traditional rulers not to extend their influence and authority beyond their domains as expansionist tendencies that could jeopardise the peace and well-being of the people would not be tolerated.

The chairman of Okitipupa local government, Hon. Igbekele Akinrinwa, urged the communities to use the same zeal and vigour they used to actualise their long-time dream of having their monarch to move their communities forward.

The Olikan of Etikan, Oba Temidayo Owoyele whose stool was also elevated from grade B to A, promised to support the government as well as use their wealth of experience and goodwill to develop their communities.

The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun on Tuesday presented N27.8m cheques to 35 family members of the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Abia State Command who died or sustained injuries in the line of duties.

IGP Egbetokun while presenting the cheques to the benefiting families and individuals at the Abia State Command Headquarters of the NPF disclosed that 32 out of the beneficiaries were deceased, while 3 sustained injuries during the discharge of their duties.

The IGP who was represented by the Abia state commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie stated that the IGP was saddened over the death of the policemen.

The IGP, while charging the benefiting families to make judicious use of the money to ease off their financial burdens, said that the police would not leave the family of the affected officers.

Onwuemelie said: “The IGP is deeply saddened by the loss of these brave men who dedicated their lives to serving and protecting our communities.

“We understand that the loss of a loved one is never easy, and it is our moral duty to support and stand beside the families of these fallen heroes.

“Today, we hope that these cheques will help ease the financial burden that may come with such loss. We believe that you will make judicious use of this token.

“As a police force. We are committed to taking care of our own. ‘The IGP is particularly committed to providing support to the families of our fallen officers and ensuring that they are not left behind.

“We also take this opportunity to remember the sacrifices that these officers made in the line of duty.

“Their memory will forever remain in our hearts, and we will honour their legacy by continuing to serve and protect our communities with utmost dedication and commitment.

Read Also: Security: Opu-Nembe community commends IGP, Police

“To the families gathered here today, please know that you are not alone.

“We will always be here to support you and we are also pleading that you continue to assist us by providing useful information that will help in the fight against insecurity.”

Some members of the benefitting families who spoke to our correspondent described the death of their loved ones as unfortunate.

They thanked the Inspector General and Abia state police commissioner for the various roles that they played in making sure the entitlements of their loved ones were paid without much difficulty.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has cautioned against politicizing the distribution of the 3000 bags of rice received from the federal government to cushion the untold hardship being experienced following the removal of fuel subsidy.

The governor also directed the committee saddled with the distribution of the rice, to give priority to widows, people with disabilities and pensioners who are considered the most vulnerable people.

Briefing newsmen in Ado Ekiti, the commissioner for Information Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun who led other members of the committee, said that the rice would be shared with every segment in the 177 wards as directed by the governor.

Speaking on the modality for sharing of the palliative largesse, the commissioner for Agriculture, Ebenezer Boluwade said that each of the 177 wards would receive 10 bags of rice each.

He said: “The committee met under the instruction of Mr Governor that we should distribute the palliatives within a week. That is why we are here to tell you the modalities for distribution which start on Wednesday.

“The committee met and agreed on the lists of beneficiaries. 10 bags of rice each for 177 wards in the state. Parts of the criteria are that we must prioritise widows and women within the wards. What we are saying is that the rice going to the wards should be shared more with women and widows.

“We also specially allocated 100 bags for widows. All the artisans in the private sector had 200 bags of rice, while the transport union got 180 bags. All the market women in Ekiti State were allocated 100 bags. The special group got 150 bags, while the people with disabilities got 140.

“The elderly, the pensioners, got 100 bags. The civil servants comprising the junior staff got 100 bags.  We have asked all the LGS and LCDA to come to Ado to collect on behalf of the works. They must ensure that the rice reaches the vulnerable who are the real beneficiary of the rice.”

Read Also: Subsidy pains: Kwara govt disburses palliatives to 13,216 petty traders, others

Oyebanji also stressed the need for members of the State executive council to always maintain a high level of discipline and the principle of collective responsibility in the discharge of their duties in order to redefine governance and achieve the desired development for the state.

He stated this on Tuesday during the inaugural expanded Exco meeting held at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s office, Ado-Ekiti, shortly after the new members of the council took the oath of office.

He urged them to always be guided by the oath they have taken in the discharge of their official responsibilities.

The governor, who noted that the executive council, the highest decision-making body in the state,  had the power to make or mar the future of the state, called on all council members to exercise restraints on the attitude that could run down the government.