By Chris Oji, Enugu

Catholic priest and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministries, Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka, has warned that Nigerian youth, if not taken good care of, may arise again and may possibly create a fresh crisis that would end the current political system.

This, he said, depends on Buhari’s ability to act fast and save his government from looming extinction.

Mbaka spoke at the 2020 edition of his popular annual December 31 Crossover Night ministrations, advising the federal government to take swift moves to create jobs to prevent Nigerian youths from embarking on restiveness that may consume the regime.

The event, which was held at the AMEN Arena, Enugu, was tagged, “Cornucopia of New Miracles from God”.

He also took a swipe at the country’s lawmakers, especially members of the National Assembly (NASS).

Describing the lawmakers as “kidnappers”, he maintained that unless the Buhari administration hastened moves to genuinely start taking care of the youths, they (youths) “will rise and end the current political system”.

While noting that Nigerians were going through horrible conditions, Mbaka also cautioned state governors, ministers and all political office holders, stressing that they have a lone choice of repenting and to start “doing the needful” otherwise, what awaited them would be unbearable.

His words: “The Holy Spirit of God asked me to warn the government of the day to be very careful; to change policies and take care of the youths without politicising their (youths’) condition.

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“That the government should rise and urgently create jobs and innovate opportunities that would benefit the youths of the nation because they have suffered so much.

“Don’t politicise the condition of the youths, otherwise, they will arise and end the political system.

“Should the government fail to do so as soon as possible, that time is coming when the youths will rise against the government, and that any attempt to stop them will end the government.”

Mbaka, who did not specify when the lurking youth agitation would take place, however dropped another puzzling pronouncement.

He said: “I can see a year ahead; it is not specific whether it is in 2021 that this will happen, but it is within a time in the time of life, that the anger of God will befall many people in the political circle because, they have looted so much and disgraced this nation enough.

“Those who should be serving the country have looted the country dry for their personal aggrandisement, such that our children and grandchildren no longer have a future”.

He pointed out that politicians had for long busied themselves in “packing and packing the nation’s commonwealth, refusing to create wealth, but that they now turned around to tag the youths kidnappers, criminals, hoodlums and so on.

He also declared that God was angry with past and present leaders for turning Nigerian youths into beggars in other countries due to overwhelming hardship in the nation, and urged them to find a way to right their wrongs.

“They should obey the voice of God, sit together and think out how to reshape Nigeria.

He also warned: “Whoever that would conspire against this message or partake in any gang-up against me or this ministry, your evil plans will turn back and befall you.

“Be warned, this is no longer the Fr Mbaka of 2020 but that of 2021,” he said, adding, “it will be fire for fire this year; if you attack us, you will be attacked”.

Our Reporter

The President of the Nigerian League of Veteran Journalists, (NILVEJ), Chief Oliver Okpala, has advocated for provision of life insurance policies for journalists covering the COVID-19 pandemic across the country.

In his New Year message, Okpala stresses the need for the management of various media organisations to float such insurance policies for their staff in line with best global practices.

He however, advises journalists to ensure that they comply with the COVID-19 protocols, especially as they are often exposed to hazards, being on the frontline of reporting the ravaging global pandemic.

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According to Okpala, journalists must discharge their duties without fear or favour in line with the time tested tenets of the profession.

He said they must remain upright and forthright because their role in nation building has even become more apparent given the enormous challenges confronting the nation on different fronts.

The former Senior Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Media maintains that the society is looking up to the media to give a sense of direction on how critical issues such as the economy, security and health could be handled to put the country on the right footing.

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Government has asked all public and private schools to resume on Monday with strict adherence to Coronavirus protocols.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Chidi Adiele, said the resumption date was in line with the school calendar published in August 2020 by Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Adiele ordered all the schools to maintain all the COVID-19 protocols, such as wearing face masks, use of hand sanitizers and maintenance of physical distancing.

By Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

A Tiv socio-cultural organisation, Mzough-u-Tiv, has thrown its weight behind Bishop Matthew Kukah, over his Christmas message that has generated so much controversy.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi, President of Mzough-u-Tiv World-wide, CP Iorbee Ihagh (rtd), stated that what Bishop Kukah said in his Christmas message is a true reflection of what is happening in Nigeria.

The Tiv tribal leader recalled that “Benue State had in 2018 witnessed the wanton destruction of lives and property in the hands of suspected herdsmen. Despite all our cries, the federal government handled the issue with levity and till date, some parts of the state are still not accessible to indigenes as a result of the marauding herdsmen.

He said; Moon council ward in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State has since the past six years been deserted by indigenes following the ugly activities of herdsmen. At present, no structure is standing, all houses, schools and health centers in the area have been destroyed.

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“Had the president woken up to his responsibility and heeded the cries of the people, Benue would have been out of this ugly, agonising and sorry state,” the Tiv leader said.

“Mdzough U Tiv hereby stands by the position of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and submits that President Buhari has managed our diversity very poorly and caused more divisions in Nigeria”.

According the President of Mzough-u- Tiv “instead of attacking the reverend father, the President should see the message as a wake-up call and do the needful by, as a first step, rejigging the security architecture and allowing for constitution of national conference where all ethnic groups will come together and frankly discuss the way forward for our great nation. This, we believe, will strengthen the unity, peace and security of the country.

He dismissed a media report by another Tiv group called Tiv Youths Council (TYC), led by Mike Msuaan, which launched attacks on Bishop Kukah over his Christmas message saying he is not known to Mzough-u- Tiv.

By Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

Jumoke Babalola-Oludele, a sister to one of the members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Sunkammi Babalola, has regained freedom from her abductors.

Recall that the victim, whose brother, Hon. Sunkanmi Babalola, currently represents Egbeda State constituency, was abducted on Monday, 21st December last year.

The brother, Babalola, confirmed the development on Saturday.

He said no ransom was paid. Babalola said, “I want to inform you that she has been freed. She regained her freedom this morning around 6am. But, no ransom was paid.”

By Justina Asishana, Minna

Seven farmers have been killed by armed bandits in Mashegu local government area of Niger state. The attack which occurred on New Year Eve, also left several others injured.

It was learnt that the farmers were killed on their farm in Babban Rami when they were returning home with their farm produce.

The bandits were said to have accosted the farmers and opened fire at them. Six people were killed instantly while the seventh person who was seriously injured was rushed to a nearby hospital but did not survive.

The other injured people were also rushed to the hospital and are still receiving treatment. The Niger state government has condemned the attack on the farmers by the bandits describing the incident as unfortunate.

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The Secretary to the Niger State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, said that the state government is on top of the situation and is working towards ensuring that banditry in the state is eradicated.

According to him, the state government is currently re-strategizing its security architecture towards defeating all forms of security challenges in all parts of Niger State.

Our Reporter

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State on Saturday  visited some hunters injured by a bomb blast while on patrol in Kayamala village in Konduga Local Government Area on Wednesday.

Following the blast, 16 of the hunters were injured while seven died, including their leader, Bunu, as they rushed to intervene in a nearby village.

They had been tipped off that some insurgents had rustled cattle in the area.

Read Also: Zulum motivates soldiers of 151 Battalion in Bama

Zulum was received at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital by Sports Commissioner Sainna Buba who informed him that 11 of the hunters had been discharged remaining four, who were also responding to treatment.

Buba said their hospital bills had been taken care of while livelihood support had also been provided to the families of those affected, as directed by the governor.

The governor, who prayed for their fast recovery and for the souls of those who paid the supreme price, urged the people of Borno to continue to remain resilient in seeing to the end of insurgency in the state.