Category: Lead

A former Judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague, Netherlands, Prince Bola Ajibola, is dead.

Ajibola, a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, died at 89.

The late jurist’s eldest child, Segun Ajibola, SAN, announced this in a statement, on Sunday in Abeokuta.Ajibola, the founder of Crescent University, Abeokuta, died at midnight on Saturday following an age-related illness.

“With very deep heart and gratitude to Almighty Allah.“Our Dad, Prince Bola Ajibola, departed this world over midnight. May Almighty Allah bless him with Aljanah Firdaus,” Segun said in the statement.

Prince Bolasodun Adesumbo Ajibola was born on March 22, 1934, in Owu near Abeokuta, to the Owu royal family of Oba Abdul-Salam Ajibola Gbadela II, who was the traditional ruler of Owu between 1949 and 1972.

He attended Owu Baptist Day School and Baptist Boys’ High School both in Abeokuta between 1942 and 1955.

He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Law, LLB, at the Holborn College of Law, University of London between 1959 and 1962 and was called to the English Bar at the Lincoln’s Inn in 1962.

He returned to Nigeria to practice law, specialising in Commercial Law and International Arbitration and soon added the high professional plume of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, in 1980.

It was largely due to his efforts during that period that the practice of Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, became composite parts of Nigerian legal practice.

By 1984, the task of leading the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, naturally fell on him.

His brilliant performance as NBA president caught the attention of the then military President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Babangida who appointed him Attorney General and the Minister of Justice of Nigeria from 1985 to 1991.

In his six years tenure as minister, Ajibola was reputed as the only public servant that never collected a salary from the government.

While serving as Attorney General, he appointed Professor Yemi Osinbajo, now Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as his Special Assistant.

Thereafter, he threw his wig into the highly competitive ring for a seat on the International Court of Justice, World Court.

Prince Ajibola went through a laborious selection process and became a judge of the court from 1991 to 1994.

He threaded that road behind the late Justice Teslim Elias whom he understudied as a guide.It is on record that he was in the habit of writing not less than 80 pages of judgments per night as a world court judge.

As a judge, Ajibola had his way with words and was also a maverick of idioms and proverbs. Oftentimes, his judgments and opinions were backed by rich Yoruba proverbs.

Ajibola exited the international court and took up a position in 1994, as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration with respect to the court’s deliberations on the land dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon.

Not surprisingly, it was only he and Justice Koroma of Sierra Leone that ruled favourably for Nigeria out of 15 Judges when judgment was passed on October 22, 2002.

Israel Adesanya has reclaimed the UFC middleweight title from Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 287 at the FTX Arena in Miami, Florida on Sunday morning.

A spectacular second round knockout was all Adesanya needed to defeat his long-time nemesis Pereira.

The victory is Adesanya’s first-ever win over Pereira who defeated and took the belt off him with a vicious fifth-round knockout in November 2022.

The Brazilian had also defeated him twice before that fight at the Maddison Square Garden in New York.

In the end, Adesanya made good on what was likely his last chance to beat Pereira and improved his MMA fight record to 24-2 (13-2 UFC), while Pereira (7-2 MMA) suffered his first loss in the UFC (4-1 UFC).

• Twist as third person lays claim to party chairmanship

• Why Baba-Ahmed won’t debate Soyinka, by LP campaign

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has distanced itself from the travails and the leadership crisis rocking the opposition Labour Party (LP).

APC National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Barrister Felix Morka in a statement in Abuja on Saturday advised suspended LP National Chairman, Julius Abure to swim in the party’s mess and leave the party out of its self-inflicted problem.

The LP Chairman on Thursday accused the ruling party of colluding with the Police and other security agencies to invade and seize the national secretariat of the opposition party.

But in the statement by the APC spokesman, the ruling party pitched its tent far away from the leadership crisis rocking the opposition party.

Morka noted in his statement; “With legs deep in quicksand, the embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, clawing desperately in search of firmer ground, baselessly blames the All Progressives Congress (APC) for his sinking and dysfunctional party.  In his irrational outburst,  Abure accused the APC of colluding with police and other security agencies to invade and seize LP’s national secretariat and staging a crisis in that party. 

“Total vindication of APC of any involvement in LP’s imbroglio was swiftly and categorically delivered by Mr Abure’s successor and Acting National Chairman of LP,  Lamidi Apapa, who exonerated our great party of any interference in the party’s raging internal crisis.

“He (Apapa) clarified that the reported situation at the LP headquarters was a result of a legal process arising from the orders of a Federal Capital Territory High Court that barred  Abure and other national officers of the party from parading themselves as such. 

“The LP’s morbid obsession with APC is unfathomable and infantile, blaming APC for all its internal woes. Mr Abure’s bogus claim follows Mr Peter Obi’s unsubstantiated and vexatious claim that he was being hounded into exile by our party.”

Exonerating APC of any complicity in the crisis, Morka advised Abure to squarely attend to all the allegations of criminal conduct against him and leave the APC out of his travails.

“To be clear, APC is not responsible for Mr Abure’s travails. He will do well to focus his thin attention and energy on  dealing with the many allegations of the criminal conduct of forgery and financial impropriety levelled against him by his party.

“While the LP continues to grapple with its myriad of woes and crying wolf where none exists, the APC will stay focused and committed to forming a new government to be led by the visionary President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as he drives the Renewed Hope agenda, and consolidate on the many gains of the out-going President Buhari-administration.”

There was a new twist to the crisis rocking the LP at the weekend as  a former Deputy National Chairman of the party (South) Callistus Okafor, declared that both the suspended national chairman, Julius Abure and the acting national chairman of the party, Lamidi Apapa are illegal occupants of the seat.

In a chat with newsmen in Abuja, Okafor said  he remained the authentic national chairman of the party.

He  said he is rightly so  by the virtue of his position as Deputy National Chairman of the party when the late national chairman, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam was in office.

He  claimed that Abure was Acting National Secretary, when Abdulsalam, died in 2020 and that he, Abure, announced himself as the National Chairman of the party without recourse to the provisions of the party’s constitution, after Abdulsalam’s demise.

His words:  “Both Abure and Apapa are all illegal occupants of the seat. Abure as acting national secretary can never be a national chairman of the party unless there is a dissolution and a new convention takes place.

“Apapa that took over can also not preside over any meeting because he is illegal.”

He went on to express concerns about the recent developments within the party and the potential impact it could have on the upcoming legal battle to challenge the results of the 2023 presidential election.

He blamed the presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi for allowing the crisis in the party to fester for long.

Okafor warned that the crisis could undermine the credibility of the party, which could ultimately harm Obi’s legal case.

He, therefore, urged the former Anambra governor to take swift action to resolve the crisis and prevent it from escalating any further.

Okafor stated: “Peter did not handle my case very well. He was busy doing his campaigns and maybe delegated incompetent hands to go and sort out the problem. The people he delegated did not do that job very well

“Anytime there is trouble, only roundtable will solve it, and such discussions must not come with threats.

“So, it is disheartening that this kind of thing (leadership crisis) will be happening in the Labour Party that has not seen the kind of light it is seeing today before.

“What is happening now occurred because Obi, as a leader, delegated incompetent people to go and sort out this problem. Instead of sorting out the problem, they were busy threatening and boasting of what they can do. Today, the party is paying dearly for it.

“Instead of Peter Obi to concentrate on his case at the tribunal, they want him to come down and start dealing with the Abure issue? No.

“Nevertheless, the Abure issue, if care is not taken, will affect him (Obi) too badly, because Abure is not the party’s national chairman. The constitution of the party made it clear that the acting national secretary cannot become the Chairman in the absence of the Chairman.”

Highlighting the importance of unity in the party, Okafor beseeched members to put aside their differences and work towards a common goal.

 “Nigerians, all Labour Party members, all Obidients should maintain peace. Nobody should take laws into his hands.

“We have the courts. I have been patiently waiting for Court judgement (over the crisis in LP) because it is the hope of the common man. Peace is what we must maintain,” Okafor stressed.

Meanwhile, the media campaign organisation  of the LP has said the Vice Presidential candidate of the party, Datti Baba-Ahmed will not accept the challenge of Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka for an open debate.

Head, Obi Datti Media Office, Diran Onifade, said this in a statement on Saturday following the challenge for a debate on Channels Television by Soyinka.

The Nobel laureate had taken exception to some comments made by Baba-Ahmed when he featured on the television station.

In a separate interview, Soyinka had condemned those comments with his (Soyinka’s) response drawing scurrilous criticism from supporters of the Labour Party.

The statement reads: “Like many Nigerians, we are bewildered by the late hour intervention of our respected Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka in issues around the flawed 2023 elections. Where was he all this while?

“One of those who should ordinarily and rightfully be honoured as the conscience of the nation, Prof. Soyinka is now criminalising dissent and in fact weighing in on the side of fraud and injustice!

 “We state, therefore, that the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed cannot take up Prof. Soyinka’s offer of a public debate, not out of cowardice, but for cultural and political reasons. 

“Culturally it’s just not decent, their age and accomplishment gaps taken into account, for Datti to sit opposite the 88 year-old global icon and point out his folly to his face, even if the old man called for it. And politically there is no basis for such a challenge in that Prof. is not on any of the opposite ballots. 

“If however he can use his influence to drag his preferred candidates, who resisted debates throughout the campaign, to the studio this second, Datti says he is more than willing to take them on.”

Global life expectancy for both sexes has increased from 46 to 73 years, with the biggest gains in the poorest countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says.

The WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, disclosed this during an online media conference.

Ghebreyesus said after years of war, the organisation realised that it was better to work with one other than fight with one another.

He said that the organisation also realised that a healthier world was a safer world.

“Their vision was clear, but bold: the highest possible standard of health, for all people. To achieve that vision, they agreed to set up a new organisation.

“They debated and agreed what this organisation would be and do in a document called the Constitution of the World Health Organisation,” Ghebreyesus said.

According to him, the organisation marked the 75th anniversary of the day that constitution came into force.

He said that the organisation’s constitution was the first document in history to formally recognise health as a human right.

The WHO boss said that since then, the world has made significant progress towards realising that vision.

He said that smallpox had been eradicated and polio was on the brink.

“These are actually two of the important highlights during the 75 years of existence of the Organisation.

“42 countries have eliminated malaria, the epidemics of HIV and TB have been pushed back.

“47 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease,” he said.

Ghebreyesus said in the past 20 years alone, smoking has fallen by a third, maternal mortality has fallen by a third and child mortality has halved.

According to him, just in the past five years, new vaccines for Ebola and malaria have been developed and licensed.

He said that just in the past five years, new vaccines for Ebola and malaria have been developed and licensed.

“And for the past 3 years, WHO has coordinated the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic – the most severe health crisis in a century.

“We can’t claim sole credit for these achievements, but we have played a leading role in all of them. Partnering with many partners, especially our Member States.

“And although we have many achievements of which to be proud, we still face many challenges – some old, some new.

“Around the world, people still face vast disparities in access to health services, between and within countries and communities,” Ghebreyesus said.

According to him, since 2000, access to essential services has increased significantly, but at least half the world’s population still lacks access to one or more services like family planning, basic sanitation, or access to a health worker.

He said that often it was because of where people live, their gender, their age or who they are, people living in poverty, refugees and migrants, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and other marginalised groups.

“Meanwhile, since 2000, the number of people who experience financial hardship from out-of-pocket health spending has increased by a third, to almost two billion.

“Non-communicable diseases now account for more than 70 per cent of all deaths globally. Rates of diabetes and obesity have increased dramatically, driven by unhealthy diets and physical inactivity.

“Progress against malaria and TB has stalled, antimicrobial resistance threatens to unwind a century of medical progress.

“Air pollution and climate change are jeopardising the very habitability of our planet;

“And as COVID-19 has exposed so brutally, there remain serious gaps in the world’s defences against epidemics and pandemics.

“For all these reasons and more, the world needs WHO now more than ever,’’ he said.  

Rampaging gunmen have thrown Benue State into fresh mourning after killing 38 people  in their latest  attack in the state.

The Friday night attack on Mgbam community in Nyiev Ward of Guma Local Government Area took the death toll in 48 hours of blood shedding in the state to 89.

President Muhammadu Buhari ordered an immediate review of the security arrangement in the state.

But Governor Samuel Ortom said the current situation in the state required more than the words and actions so far offered by the president.

The Defence Headquarters said yesterday that it was doing its best to deal with the situation.

The authorities of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, confirmed that 38 people, of whom 30 are women, were killed on Friday night when the yet to be identified gunmen invaded the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) primary school in Mgbam and opened fire on hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)  taking refuge there.

Thirty-nine other IDPs are receiving treatment in the hospital for the wounds they suffered. 

Ortom, who hails from Nzorov in the same LGA, rushed to the scene a few hours after the attack to personally assess the situation and sympathise with the people.

The District Head of Nyiev, Chief Bernard Shawa, told the governor that the invaders came in a large number, armed to the teeth.

Shawa said: “They were armed with sophisticated weapons. They set a house ablaze and started shooting into the air.

“In the melee that ensured, the attackers moved straight to where the villagers were sleeping in a classroom and shot many people dead.”

He said the victims, mainly women and children, were forced into sleeping in the school because of the fear of the unknown caused by the long-standing security challenge in the area.

Shawa confirmed that two of his own children were killed during the attack.

He added: “We took 39, who sustained various degrees of injuries, to the hospital, but two later died, bringing the total number of casualties to 38.”

He appealed to the Federal Government to protect the people, who are peasant farmers, to enable them return to their farms, especially now that the rains are here.

Ortom expressed his condolences to the community and asked the federal government to fish out and punish the killers.

He said: “As I was coming here, I read somewhere that President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killings and symphatised with the government and people of the state, and ordered security men to go after the killers.

“I hope the Commissioner of Police, who is here with some soldiers, will go after the killers as ordered by Mr. President.”

He appealed to the people not to take law into their hands but to continue to be law abiding.

He directed the Chairman of Guma Local Government Area to make arrangement for immediate burial of the dead.

Ortom also visited the BSUTH to see the wounded.

The Local Government Chairman, Dr. Mike Uba, told The Nation on the phone that the gunmen shot “men, women and children at close range.”

“They also macheted pregnant women and children. We recovered about 36 bodies, took about six victims to the hospital but just got informed that three more have died,” Uba, who doubles as the state chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), said.

The Nation gathered that the policemen on guard at the school fled as the gunmen swooped.

One of the policemen was said to have lost his rifle during the attack.

A large number of Guma LGA people are currently displaced from their homes on account of incessant attacks by gunmen.

Guma is a boundary local government area with Nasarawa State.

They killed my wife, relatives – Civil servant

Among those bereaved in the Mgbam massacre is a civil servant with the Benue State Government, Mr. Philip Amasham.

Amasham, 37, lost his farmer wife, Comfort (35) and some other relations.

Narrating his ordeal to The Nation yesterday, Amasham said Comfort left Makurdi for Mgbam on Thursday to tend her farm only to be killed.

He said she was gunned down while she was fleeing her home for the IDP camp and the gunmen began shooting.

Amasham said his elder brother’s wife and younger brother’s son were also killed during the attack.

He said the deceased had reached out to him on the phone as soon as the attack began, to inform him about what they were going through back home.

He said: “We usually rely on the security there. That’s why we normally leave our houses to sleep there (school) because of the safety, then return home to do our farm work during the day.

“After hearing about this, we immediately reached out to the Chairman of Guma Local Government Area and he promised Governor Samuel Ortom was going to address us on the issue.

“We have been suffering for a very long time and this has to stop. My wife left me with five children. She has been the one supporting the family.

“As I speak, I don’t know where to start from. I’m still in shock and the government and relevant security agencies must act fast before we all get killed.”

The traditional ruler of Ikobi in Apa LGA, Prof. Mohammed Adah, pleaded with the government and other relevant stakeholders to stop invaders from harassing innocent people.

“We barely sleep because of the constant attacks. Our place has become empty. Farmers can no longer go to farm,” he said on the phone.

“Immediate action should be taken to protect our land. The consequence of this may result in famine because our people only rely on farming activities to survive,” he said.

Buhari orders security review, vows perpetrators will face justice

President Buhari, in his reaction to the development yesterday, deplored the series of attacks and killings in some communities in the state and directed security agencies to go after the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President urged that all efforts be made to end the “extreme violence.”

He condemned the use of terrorism as a tool in inter-communal conflicts, urging that the attackers be found and dealt with swiftly under the law.

He conveyed his grief and sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives due to the attack and directed the secret services, police and military commanders to enhance surveillance on every front and to immediately review the security management in the affected areas.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those murdered. The entire nation stands united in the fight against the forces of terror and evil,” said the President.

Gunmen had on Wednesday killed 51 people at Umogidi community in Otukpo LGA.

 ‘Gunmen destroying our farms with impunity’

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Mr. Omageni Ocheche, said yesterday that the federal government should halt the impunity with which gunmen are trampling on the rights of the people of the state.

Ocheche alleged that the rampart killings appeared to be sponsored by well positioned people.

He said: “The gunmen started with Agatu, extended to Tiv land and now the whole state is being overrun. 

“They are now bringing in mercenaries from Nasarawa and Kogi states. We are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari and the federal government to come to our rescue in Benue.”

DHQ: We’re doing our work, we’re not sleeping

Contacted yesterday over the resurgence of banditry in some northern states, the Director Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Musa Danmadamai, said the military was doing its best to handle the situation.

“What I can only tell you is that we are doing our work. We are not sleeping,” he said.

“I’ve always told you people this all the time. I don’t know why you people are always agitated.

“We are doing our work and will continue to do our work. It is as simple as that.”

President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President, Goodluck Jonathan, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25,2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar and serving state governors across the country have felicitated Christians on the celebration of Easter.

Tinubu urged all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, which is the essential message of Christ’s ministry of priceless sacrifice and limitless love of God for mankind.

He said, with love the country stands to make faster progress in achieving “the peaceful, united, strong, progressive and prosperous country we all desired”

In a message he signed on Saturday to mark this year’s Easter celebration, the former Lagos State governor told all Nigerians that it is divinely obligatory for us to love ourselves regardless of tongue, faith and tribe.

The statement reads: “I send my best wishes to Christians in Nigeria and all over the world who are celebrating Easter this Sunday. As we all enjoy the well-deserved break, I urge every Nigerian to reflect on the priceless sacrifice and limitless love of God for mankind.

“As we celebrate, let us also remember our obligation, as God’s children, to love our neighbour, regardless of tongue, faith and tribe.

“For Christians everywhere, this celebration is in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s life of service and his supreme sacrifice for the salvation of mankind.

“And as we observe Easter this year, let us all imbibe the essential message of Christ’s ministry and truly begin to love our fellow Nigerians as we love ourselves.

“We will make faster progress towards the achievement of the peaceful, united, strong, progressive and prosperous country we all desire if we eschew divisive, parochial, ethnic and religious sentiments and rivalries, and begin to live more harmoniously with our company

He further said that “Easter is about Renewed Hope and Redemption. It symbolises the triumph of hope over despair, love over hate and condemnation, and optimism over cynicism.

“Let us embrace this spirit and recommit ourselves to edifying and patriotic pursuits in the interest of our nation. I wish you all very happy Easter celebrations.”

Former president Jonathan while urging Nigerians to show love to one another and imbibe the spirit of sacrifice said the Easter season is a moment “when we reflect on the gifts of salvation and redemption from sin and death made possible through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

“The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the substance of the Christian faith, as it offers believers hope and reminds us of God’s unfailing love, mercy, and grace toward humanity.

“At Easter, we are reminded of reconciliation, peace, unity, and the triumphant power of faith and hope in surmounting earthly challenges,” Jonathan said.

The former president who said that  Nigeria and the world were passing through trying times, tasked citizens on faith, mutual trust and sincerity of purpose.

“This is a trying moment for Nigeria and the world.

Atiku in his  Easter message on Saturday urged leaders across the country to follow the virtues that define the Easter season to help all Nigerians resolve their differences.

The statement reads, “This weekend, we join our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria and across the world to commemorate the Easter festivities. This commemoration is a time for deep reflection as it marks the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and His victory over death. It is a time to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need.

“It is also a time for all of us – regardless of faith or ethnicity – to come together to pray for the peace of our nation. We must all remain constant in our efforts to promote unity – across all lines – because united, our nation remains stronger, and we can thrive as a people.

“Our shared experiences bring us to the conclusion that no matter what the forces of evil can do, we, as Nigerians, united in doing good, can and shall prevail.

“Our leaders at all levels should follow the virtues that define this season – sacrifice, love, and charity – and come together to help all Nigerians resolve the differences that divide us.

The former vice president advised that those seeking to divide Nigerians under the guise of religion or ethnicity must not be allowed to succeed.

“We must not allow those who seek to divide us to pretend as if our problems are a result of another ethnic or religious group. We must collectively own our problems and collectively find solutions to overcome them.”

“We must not allow those who seek to divide us to pretend as if our problems are a result of another ethnic or religious group. We must collectively own our problems and collectively find solutions to overcome them.”

Atiku’s running mate in the just concluded presidential election, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa called on Christians across the country to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ, who in spite of His heavenly endowments, took up the cross to redeem mankind.

The Delta State governor said that the country, as a community, would be a better place if adherents of Christianity imbibed the spirit of love, peace and sacrifice, which were the virtues epitomised in Christ.

He said that Nigeria was in a critical period, plagued by varying challenges and uncertainties, and charged Christians to use the solemnity of Easter to go in full supplications to God for His intervention.

His words: “I am, however, confident that with everyone returning to, and remaining with God, He will redeem the country and restore its greatness.

“I, therefore, call on Nigerians to eschew bitterness and divisive vices, and embrace the virtues of Jesus Christ to return the country to the path of glory.

“Easter is the reason why we are called Christians. But, Christianity places a demand on all of us – the responsibility to look out for each other and be our brother’s keepers.

“As a government, we have to the best of our abilities, used the instrumentalities of governance to affect the lives of the people of  Delta positively.”

Gbajabiamila, Wase, Reps Minority caucus peach peaceful coexistence

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase and the Minority caucus of the House called for sober reflection among Christians, saying they should reawaken their trust in God and reinforce their optimism for a peaceful, united, secure and prosperous nation they yearn for.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker called for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians now and always.

Speaker Gbajabiamila urged the citizens, especially Christians, to use the period to pray for a peaceful transition on May 29 as well as  for the incoming administration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, as well as other leaders in the country.

Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase called on Nigerians to use the period of the Easter celebration to show love to one another and pray for their leaders.

He said “I congratulate our Christian brothers and sisters on this spiritual and solemn occasion of Easter and wish them a joyful celebration.

“As you celebrate, I wish to advise every Nigerian to radiate love and endeavour to pray for our  leaders to lead us right for the growth of our society”

“Love is the greatest and we should radiate love in all our dealings. We should also emulate him by showing love, praying for one another and even sacrificing where necessary.

If we do this, there will be tolerance, peace and all of us will enjoy this great nation”.

The Minority caucus in the statement signed by Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, said “the resurrection of Jesus Christ presents us the reassurance that no matter how unpleasant and painful an adverse situation might be, with God, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

“Easter, therefore, offers us great lesson in the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, peace over chaos, hope over despair, prosperity over lack; a pointer that with supplications to God and unity in determination, our nation would surely overcome its current political, economic and social predicaments.

“While our Caucus recognizes that most Nigerians are hurting at this time over apprehensions that their hope of a better nation, which they expressed at various levels in the 2023 general elections is being jeopardized, we remain hopeful that the Will of the people will surely triumph at the end of the day.”

Emulate Christ’s sacrificial love – Uzodimma urges Christian faithful

Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma in his Easter message urged the citizens to demonstrate the sacrificial love of Christ in their relationship with their neighbours, state and nation.

The governor said Easter celebration is meaningful, only when “we rededicate ourselves to the service of God and humanity, through proper reflection on Christ’s uncommon love for mankind.”

He also reminded Christians that Easter remains the foundation upon which their faith is built, hence their hope for salvation.

He said:”It is indeed a unique day in the Christian calendar as it marks the liberation of mankind from bondage to freedom. As the Holy Bible said, God so loved the world, that he sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die on the cross so that our sins can be forgiven to pave way for us to inherit eternal salvation.

“It should be instructive to us that our Lord, Jesus Christ, paid the supreme sacrifice for our salvation because of His love for us.

Therefore, as we celebrate Easter, we should reflect on his uncommon love for us which made him to willingly submit himself to shameful death so we can be saved.

“I urge all of us, therefore, to be Christ-like and practise true love for our neighbour. This is the only way we can reciprocate Christ’s love for us. We must do all in our powers to love our neighbour, our  state and our country.”

Diri tasks Christians on love, compassion, peace

Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, said the major lesson in the death and resurrection of Jesus, that Easter signifies, is that of hope for everyone.

“As I join other Christians to celebrate the significant season of Easter, I urge all to rekindle their hope in God and in governmental institutions.

“I call on Christians and residents of Bayelsa to show compassion, ensure unity and peaceful co-existence as well as continuously pray for good governance and progress of our state.

“I also use the opportunity of the Easter celebrations to express appreciation to people of our state for their unrelenting support to the Prosperity Administration under my watch. I am humbled and encouraged by your overwhelming support and prayers at all times.”

Ugwuanyi preaches peace, love, unity

Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi  yesterday called on Christian faithful and indeed all Nigerians to reflect and commit themselves to the advancement of peace, love and unity in appreciation of the great sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for the atonement of sins and salvation of mankind.

Governor Ugwuanyi who made the call in his Easter message stressed God’s kindness, faithfulness, mercy and abiding love by sending His only begotten son to the world to suffer and die for the salvation of mankind, urging Christians and Nigerians at large to reciprocate the enduring sacrifice by intensifying prayers and promoting peace, love, unity and progress in the country.

The governor congratulated his fellow Christians for the successful conclusion of the forty-day long Lenten season and enjoined Nigerians to appreciate the great reason for the celebration, which is Christ’s resurrection, come closer to God and always do His will.

Eschew divisive tendencies, Abdulrazaq tasks Nigerians

Kwara State governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, yesterday urged Nigerians to take advantage of this Easter period to seek God’s favour for the country.

He enjoined countrymen and women to eschew all divisive tendencies.

The governor greeted the Christian community in the state on the Easter festivities, calling it a period of introspection, self-discipline, sacrifice, forgiveness, and commitment to God.

“The Easter festivities come at a unique moment in our national life when we have just elected new representatives and chief executives to pilot the affairs of the country for the next four years. In the spirit of the Easter, and of the Muslim’s holy month of Ramadan, we need to bury the hard feelings that came with electioneering campaign and join new leaders for the task of nation building — a task that requires everyone to support every effort for sustainable growth and development,” the Governor said in the statement.

Niger Gov-elect calls for selflessness

Niger state Governor-elect, Honorable Umar Bago called on the Christians to continue to be selfless and tolerant.

In his Easter message, Bago said that people and nations rise when they are selfless, saying that the lessons of Easter are of great significance to humanity.

“The Easter season, preceded by the 40-day fasting period characterised by self-denial, personal sacrifice and purification, which leads to the good Friday and ultimately the resurrection morning comes with great lessons and significance not only to Christians but for humanity.

“The entire period is loaded with the core message of death to self in many ways, from either being self -conceited to self- gratification and other self -influenced mortal desires, rather the advancement of living more consciously, soberly and deferring to the wish of our creator and his recommendation to care for others above oneself.”

In a related development, the Niger state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna in his Easter message called on the people of the state to remain hopeful and prayerful adding that Niger state will overcome its challenges.

Nnamani tells Nigerians to put country  first

Enugu East Senator and former governor of Enugu State, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani in a statement in Abuja asked Nigerians to put the interest of the corporate existence of the nation above personal considerations.

Senator Nnamani noted that, regardless of religious or political inclinations, the survival of the country is paramount.

He thanked the Christian and Muslim communities alike for their prayers during this Lenten season which coincided with this year’s Ramadan fasting.

He urged them to sustain the momentum in order to uphold the peace and unity of the nation.

The former Governor noted the concerns of most Nigerians about the state of affairs saying, “we need to come together as a people with common destiny and find a lasting solution that will set the nation on the path to greatness.”

PDP urges justice, hope, national rebirth

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Easter celebrations  to rekindle hope of national rebirth and justice for all.

In a goodwill message to Nigerians, the PDP noted that the resurrection of Jesus Christ rekindles humanity’s assurance of victory of life over death, hope over despair, justice over injustice and the triumph of the will of the people “over the selfish and parochial scheme of an arrogant, selfish, corrupt and manipulative few.”

The statement, signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said it’s saddening that Nigerians are again observing a celebration such as Easter in an atmosphere of hardship, fear, insecurity and hopelessness.

“Our party therefore charges Nigerians to persevere in prayers and continue to care for, show love and share with one another at this critical time in hope for a better nation under a people-enthroned leadership.

“The PDP assures of its upmost resolve to take every lawful action in the determination to retrieve the presidential mandate freely given by the people to our party and candidate, Atiku Abubakar at the February 25, 2023 presidential election so that Nigerians can have the breath of fresh air under a purposeful leadership that they eagerly yearn for.”

Catholic bishops warn against divisive politics

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, advised Nigerians not to allow politics, ethnicity and religion to divide them.

Kaigama, also reminded Nigerians that they can reclaim their country from the clutches of terrorists and other oppressors.

In his Easter message which was made available to reporters in Abuja on Saturday, the Archbishop emphasised the importance of hope, faith, and perseverance in the face of challenges.

He said, “No doubt, from Boko Haram to banditry and kidnapping, to the threat of violence and terrorism, the stories are both heart-breaking and fear-inspiring just as the terrible events of Good Friday were over two thousand years ago. But Easter reminds us that even in the face of violence and persecution, love and compassion can triumph.

“With those same virtues, we can reclaim our country and make it a better place. But first, we must once again learn to stand together as a nation and genuinely work towards peace and unity. We must not allow ourselves to be divided by ethnicity, religion or political affiliation. Corruption continues to remain an obstacle to development in our country. Some of the factors that feed it are linked to ethnicity and religious bigotry. Easter teaches us that honesty and integrity are values that we must seek and uphold if we want to build a better Nigeria.

“For that national rebirth we all long for to take place, we must hold our leaders accountable for their actions, demand transparency in all acts of governance and demand a drastic cut in the cost of governance. Most importantly, we must also do our part by being honest and ethical in all aspects of our own lives. It is only by working together to enthrone a culture of trust, to fight corruption that we can create a Nigeria that is fair and just to all”.

His Oyo State counterpart, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo on Saturday in Ibadan charged Nigerians, especially Christians to rise to a new life that would impact on the society positively.

His words: “After 40 days of penance and fasting, Easter calls on us to live holy lives and pursue justice.

“We must shun conspiracy, false witnessing, fake news, betrayal, and character assassination so rampant in our world.

“We should embrace truth, compassion, and forgiveness. Let there be reconciliation; no more division. Easter is the accomplishment of the mission of Jesus to reconcile the world with God,’’ he said.