A cleric of the Christ Apostolic Church in Shagari Village Akure, Prophet/Evangelist Olu Sam Alo (Baba ori oke Aanu) has said the well-being of the poor should not be left for government and non-governmental organisations alone, even as he added that religious leaders should complement government’s efforts in making life meaningful for the downtrodden.
Alo spoke during the monthly programme tagged Seven hours, seven prophets. Noting that giving draws down God’s blessings on the giver, Prophet Alo noted that God called him to financially bless the needy; even though he does not have enough. He added that it has become a routine for him to give.
“In the olden times, people sought shelter, security and financial protection in God’s sanctuary. Prophets usually provided for the needy in the times of old. “I can sell my car to help any member. There is a message behind my giving to people. God said He would use whatever I give to people as a miracle in breaking bondages in their lives and retracing them back to God.”
According to him, the vision for the special service was revealed to him by God nine years ago. Seven hours, seven prophets programme holds every first Saturday of the month.
“God instructed me to speak His Word of mercy to people who see themselves in a hopeless situation,” Alo said. When God called me for this mission, he gave me the key to unlock people’s hidden glory.
“This is the second edition even though God gave me the vision over nine years ago. But I have been waiting for signs. So, when it was time, God instructed me to go ahead. The countless testimonies that we are witness here are proofs that God has truly begun His work”
He scoffed at the materialistic tendency among Christian clerics today. As God’s emissaries, Alo believes they must lend a helping hand to the poor in the society and not to extort the congregation.
“Unfortunately, the gesture of giving is fast disappearing in Christendom today. Many men of God want to be billionaire overnight; that’s not what God asked us to do.
“God, through His Word in the Bible instructs us to give and it shall be given unto you. It is not a crime for a man of God to invest in members’ lives. Unfortunately too, people are abusing the privilege. Some members will pretend they don’t have in order to collect more from the prophet. But whoever does that is collecting a curse rather than blessing,” Alo warned.
Irked by the debilitating situation in which the poor in Nigeria find themselves, The Vicar/Archdeacon, Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ipaja, Lagos, Ven. Samuel O. Olajide has advised leaders to be concerned about the plight of the less-privileged persons in the society, even as he advised that government should evolve policies and programmes that would enhance their well-being.
Ven. Olajide spoke while conducting church service to mark the 70th anniversary of retired Captain Adetokunbo Adekoya Ketiku.
He said: “Vanity upon vanity is anyone who gathered wealth, attain higher position but fails to move closer to God and or render service to humanity. Whatever a man becomes in life is God’s making.
“Being alive, educated, work and achieve success, it’s by God’s power and not by might.
“It is incumbent on leaders to fear God and tackle the plight of the masses. It is shameful that those who live below the poverty line in Nigeria are in the majority, while only a tiny fragment of the population are living in opulence.
“As good Christians, we must endeavour to imbibe the virtues of Jesus Christ. So, I urge all leaders to lead by example just as Jesus Christ did when He was on earth as a gift and an epitome of holiness, transformation, deliverance; we must try to follow his example by living in peace and assisting one another.
“We must also learn to have the spirit of forgiveness towards our fellow mankind.’’
Monarchs, religious leaders, politicians, captains of industry and other dignitaries from all walks of life within and outside the country attended the event to celebrate with Papa ‘no nonsense’ as he is popularly called by his admirers.
His children, grandchildren and members of his family adorn lace materials and gold-coloured head gears to match. Others wore white brocade fabric and gold and sky-blue cap.
A devoted Christian and member of Sunday School Teachers at the same church and member of Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF), Captain Ketiku also belongs to many societies among which are: Muslim Union, Man ‘O’ War, Red Cross and Librarians Club.
While extolling the virtues of Capt Ketiku, especially his contributions to the family and society at large, Mrs. Deborah Aniowe, said: “He is a gentle, kind and devoted Christian who does not keep malice. He is always keen to finance the work of God and rendering assistance to the less-privileged people.
She also said he is such a person who does not welcome undisciplined behaviour.
She urged the children, grandchildren, members of his family and public office holders to emulate the celebrator by having interest in the well-being of the masses.
The celebrator thanked God for His love and mercies, saying “to attain the age of 70 years is not an easy if God had not ordained it. He pledged more commitment to the work of God and service to humanity as long as God keeps him alive.
Penultimate week, Iju, a rustic community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State hosted scores of friends and relatives of a former member of the State House of Assembly who represented Akure North State Constituency, Hon Akindele Adeniyi.
Akindele, known as “GOC” among his contemporaries, has just concluded two terms at the Assembly.
Akindele, a former Vice-Chairman of Akure North Local Government Area said he had reasons to glorify God.
The St. Stephens Anglican Church, venue of the event was filled to capacity as prominent indigenes of the state thronged the venue to felicitate with a man many described as a courageous politician.
Adeniyi expressed gratitude to Governor Olusegun Mimiko for giving him the opportunity to serve his people twice in the House of Assembly.
Prominent indigenes of the state who attended the event were the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Fatai Olotu, former Chairman of Hospital Management Board, Dr. Dare Bada, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Elder Soji Bello and the Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) Akungba Akoko, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, among others.
The visibly excited Adeniyi also thanked the people for choosing him to represent them twice in the House, saying the support given to him propelled him to serve them vigorously.
He said: “Mine is a grateful heart because if I look back from where I am coming from, I know that God has been kind to me.
“From thousands of people in my constituency, God gave me the opportunity to serve my people; not only once, but twice. It is a feat that has not been recorded by any politician in the community. Indeed, I am highly grateful to God.
“My appreciation also goes to our amiable Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who gave me that opportunity to serve my people. At that time, I was not the best but he supported me with everything. I will forever remain grateful to him.”
The new District 404b-2 Governor, Lions International for the Lion Year 2015/2016, Dr. Christine Olufunke Adebajo, has called on Nigerians to join the Lions International to rediscover the potential of the country, irrespective of their political, religious or tribal leanings.
They were also enjoined to enroll with the organisation in order to complement efforts of government and other well-meaning individuals and organisations in improving the well-being of others.
Lioness Adebajo spoke during an interactive session with reporters at the Devotional Service marking the beginning of her Lion Year 2015/2016 tenure as the Governor of Lions International District 404b-2.
The event held at the Ansarudeen Central Mosque, Ajao Road Surulere. It was attended by the immediate past District 404b-2 Governor, Lion Chief Abdul Ganiyu Abiodun Adediji and Lion Teslim Sanusi who is former District 404b Governor and currently a member of the Board of Trustees, Lions International Multi-District 404, some members of the executive and other senior clerics of the Ansarudeen Mission.
Lioness Adebajo, who is a public health consultant with the World Health Organisation (WHO), reiterated the need for individuals to spend their God-given time, talents and resources for the comfort of their fellow mankind, saying that the feat could only be achieved through collective co-operation.
In their respective sermons, the branch chairman of Lagos State Ansarudeen Society, Alhaji Ligali Gbaiye Agbomeji and the secretary, Alhaji I. O. Yussuf reiterated the need for synergy among organisations in order to impact on the lives of the downtrodden in the society.
The District Governor also advocated greater co-operation and determination of members to actualise the potential of the group, saying that contributions from other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in complementing government’s efforts in making life meaningful for members of the society would go a long way in enhancing the lot of others.
Corroborating her view, the Treasurer, Lion Tunji Edward, as well as the District Cabinet Secretary, Lion Kayode Olabiran stressed the need for all to join the Lions International to showcase its potential.
She reeled off some of the projects executed by the group to include eye surgery, micro-credit facilities and programme, vocational training, empowerment and development programmes; all aimed at meeting the socio-economic needs of the people.
The President, Ado-Ekiti Central Lions Club, Taiwo Odebunmi, has revealed that over 1,200 people have been screened in its free health scheme in less than two years.
Odebunmi spoke at a press briefing in Ado-Ekiti on the activities of the club, adding that they have also attended to over 460 people this year.
He noted that the club is meeting special needs of the youth as a priority as well as creating awareness on various health challenges such as blindness, hypertension and diabetes, HIV and AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.
Odebunmi said: “The future of any community depends largely on the youth and how the youth are nurtured and positioned. One of the core projects for the Lions year is the contribution of a hospice to be sited at the state teaching hospital in Ado-Ekiti.”
The group reeled off some of the projects it embarked upon to include health talk, various eye surgeries; donation of incubator to the Ekiti State Specialist Hospital, Ado-Ekiti and yearly donations to the motherless babies’ home at Iyin-Ekiti, among others.
Explaining further, Odebunmi said the Lions Club has its theme for 2015-2016 Lions Year as “Dignity, Harmony and Humanity”, adding that their survival is attributed to co-operation, team work, family structure and harmony among members.
There was excitement in the air last Friday as the new Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Oba Adejimi Adu, formally begins his reign. He entered the palace following the conclusion of all necessary traditional rites of passage to the ancient throne. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.
The atmosphere was ecstatic and the suspense that had hung in the air all this while suddenly gave way to assurance, joy and fulfilment for the people of Ikere-Ekiti.
They people trooped out enmasse to witness the final rites of passage to the throne of the new Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu, who formally assumed the throne as the king of the city.
Having been installed and presented with the instruments of appointment by Governor Ayo Fayose on July 6 at a colourful ceremony held at the sports field of the Holy Trinity Anglican Primary School, Odo-Oja, the next stage in his road to the throne was the performance of traditional rites.
•The Ogoga shortly before he left the Iwoye.
The new Ogoga’s next port of call was the Iwoye, a traditional place of temporary abode where he would undergo further rites and where he would receive homage from various interest groups in the community until his assumption of the palace.
It should be noted that the last time such an event was witnessed in the Iwoye was in 1971 when the last Ogoga, the late Oba Samuel Adegoke Adegboye, was installed as the traditional ruler of Ikere.
An indigene of the community told Southwest Report that it was the same place where the late Oba Adegboye underwent his traditional rites before assuming the throne.
The late Oba Adegboye, who reigned for 43 years, joined his ancestors on August 22, 2014 which made one of the most sought-after thrones in Ekiti land vacant; sparking a bitter struggle for the royal seat among princes in the eligible royal families.
At the end of the selection processes, it was Oba Adu that emerged as the Ogoga-elect after many rounds of consultations with the Ifa Oracle and election among the kingmakers.
A visit to Iwoye revealed a busy day for the new monarch as indigenes of the community streamed to the place on daily basis while the new king was still there. Locating the Iwoye by a first timer might prove a Herculean task as it also fell on an Oja-Oba (King’s Market) day which drew further crowd to the area.
It should be noted that the Oja-Oba’s original location was the precincts of the Ogoga’s Palace but it had to be moved backwards to the Iwoye area following the death of Oba Adegboye.
The market is expected to be moved back to its original location with the enthronement of the new Ogoga and the conclusion of his rite of passage to the throne.
Some came to catch a glimpse of the new Kabiyesi, others came to pay homage either as individuals or groups while others came to offer prayers either in Christian or traditional ways to seek the blessings and favour of the Almighty for a fruitful reign.
•Traditional praise-singers chanting Oba Adu’s oriki (panegyrics).
Oba Adu, who took his time to attend to his subjects, waved the irukere (horsetail) in appreciation of their homage and the chanting of his praises.
He was resplendent in an all-white outfit and intermittently beamed some smiles as each of the interest groups paid their homage.
A local trumpeter was on ground blowing royal tunes while local drummers added colour and life to the event.
Palace guards also ensured that there was law and order at the Iwoye as they attended to guests coming to pay visit and homage to the new royal father.
Friday was a busy day for Oba Adu as it marked the day the traditional rites would be concluded and a huge crowd thronged the Iwoye to accompany the monarch to the palace.
Oba Adu, who is from the Agirilala Ruling House received homage from traditional chiefs, quarter chiefs, age grade groups, women groups, youths, interest groups and ethnic nationalities who wished him a peaceful reign on the throne of his forefathers.
The chants of Kaaaaabiyesiooooooo rent the air as the Ogoga emerged from the inner recesses of the Iwoye; wearing a deep brown agbada with a sprinkling of cream colour. A snowy white crown gleamed on his head.
Making his way out of the Iwoye was taxing as the enthusiastic crowd of Ikere indigenes came to felicitate with him. Another round of Christian and traditional prayers ensued.
As the new Ogoga was leaving the Iwoye, the two chambers there were locked and some residents claimed that they won’t be opened again until another Ogoga will be installed.
Most of the youth present were witnessing the traditional spectacle for the first time as they had not been born in 1971 when Oba Adu’s predecessor was installed.
•The wife of the Ogoga, Olori Olufunmilola Ololade Adu…at the Iwoye.
The wife of the new Ogoga, Olufunmilola Ololade, who had her suku hairstyle adorned with beads to mark her new status as Olori was beaming with smiles as she humbly acknowledged greetings from well-wishers.
Before leaving the Iwoye, a goat was slaughtered and the new king stepped on the blood as one of the rites to be performed for his final passage to the coveted royal stool.
After the rite was performed, the new Ogoga was taken to Chief Akamuja where another rite was administered on him.
Akamuja highlighted the dos and don’ts of the occupant of the royal seat and the ritual was to make his reign crisis-free. Kola nuts were tossed and they landed with their faces up which were a good omen for Oba Adu’s reign.
The development was unique in the history of the Ogogas in the community and this symbolised immense prosperity and splendour.
He was taken to some shrines and junctions to observe the last round of rites before heading to the palace to commence his reign.
Following the conclusion of the rites, Oba Adu headed for the palace amid singing, drumming and trumpeting; marking the beginning of a new era in the history of Ikere Kingdom.
On arrival at the palace and sitting on the palace throne for the first time, Oba Adu received another round of homage from chiefs, age-grade groups and other interest groups in the community.
One of the high chiefs, the Sao of Ikere, Chief Jide Omotoso, prayed for peace, progress, prosperity and development of the town during the reign of the new king.
Addressing reporters earlier in the day at Iwoye, Oba Adu called on the indigenes to join hands with him to develop the town.
According to him, he felt fulfilled and humbled becoming the 27th Ogoga of Ikere; promising to justify the confidence reposed in him by the kingmakers and other stakeholders in the community.
He explained that he would use his new position to ensure that peace reigns in the town, which, he said, will engender rapid socio-economic development in Ekiti land.
Oba Adu also used the opportunity to extend a hand of fellowship to other princes who contested the throne with him; promising to carry them along in the day-to-day running of the community.
While emphasising that development could only take place in an atmosphere of peace, Oba Adu said he has started reaching out to his co-contestants and other people who are aggrieved by his emergence to join hands and lift the town to greater heights.
He revealed that all the kingmakers have resolved to work with him, even as they are actively involved in the task of reconciling fellow royals.
Unfolding his development agenda for Ikere during his reign, Oba Adu explained that his dream was to work towards the industrialisation of the community to boost its economy.
He pledged to enlist the support of his friends within and outside the country to invest in the town and tap its abundant agricultural, forestry, mineral and tourism potential.
Oba Adu said he was deeply concerned about the high rate of unemployment among the youth of the community, saying it would be given priority attention in his development agenda.
He said: “I am deeply concerned about our graduate youths who are unemployed. My desire is to reach out to industrialists to set up industries and small-scale businesses to provide jobs for our teeming youths.
“Ikere has huge potential as investors’ destination and I will work with my people to ensure overall development of our town as the community is strategically located.
“I feel elated, humbled and proud to be chosen as the Ogoga and this will give me an opportunity to work for the peace, progress and development of Ikere because Ikere is a city that had never been conquered in history.
“This is a thing of joy, this is a thing of great fulfilment and I am looking forward to a peaceful, fruitful and prosperous reign.”
Some of the programmes and policies he hopes to execute as the Ogoga of Ikere include the unity of the town and its inhabitants as a whole, better welfare for the chiefs, promotion of environment conducive to business, expansion and extension of Ikere, maximising the population strength of the community and using Ikere Day as a platform of development.
Oba Adu attended Baptist Primary School, Ikere and also briefly attended L.A. Modern School, Igbara Odo Road Ikere.
Oba Adu had been involved in community development efforts before becoming the Ogoga as a member of Ikere Development Forum (IDF).
He established two sawmills in Ikere to create jobs for the people of the community. He also built a big warehouse in his attempt to have Golden Fliyr Mills set up a depot for the supply of flour and cement to Ikere thereby improving the local economy and to create more jobs.
Oba Adu is also Chairman, Akoda Ventures; Chairman, Dejimi Investment Company; Principal Partner, Dejimi Consulting; Director, Seadol Oil Services Limited; Principal Partner in Sealords Marine Consultants and Director, Inisa Energy Limited.
In a bid to fulfill his electioneering promises during the 2015 presidential and National Assembly elections, Prince Akeem Adeyemi has held meetings with major stakeholders in the four local government areas in Oyo town on how to attract development projects to the area.
At a meeting with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyomesi, traditional rulers and associations in Oyo Federal Constituency, Prince Adeyemi revealed that he stood by the party’s directive during the leadership crisis in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
According to the immediate past chairman of Atiba Local Government Area, every member of the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to hold leadership position. He, however, explained that party interest surpasses any other interest.
Prince Adeyemi described the incident as ugly, lamenting that selfishness and inordinate ambition wanted to tear them apart at a point they are supposed to be seen as change agents.
“We all contested on the platform of the party and by doing so, we have indirectly pledged to abide by its directives. Without discipline, the party will crash,” he added.
He promised to team up with other progressive minds in order to engender the desired change, adding that great individuals such as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola are tested leaders whose directives should be adhered to.
He said he embarked on the consultation tour in order to carry his constituents along, adding that “democracy is a participatory form of government. We must brief the people as events unfold so that the people will have a sense of belonging in the process of governance. It is a radical departure from what obtained in the past.”
Disclosing that he would interact with his constituents periodically, he stressed the need for all to come together irrespective of party affiliations as it would usher in the needed development. He assured that the impasse at the National Assembly would soon be resolved.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi who was represented by Ayaba Mojisola Adeyemi said he would continue to advise the lawmaker on the need to assist the people.
Reactingý, the Basorun of Oyo Kingdom, High Chief Akinade Yusuf said he was elated with the development, adding that such had never happened in the history of the town. He noted that their fear had been allayed because they had thought as a Prince; he would not be answerable to anybody.
One of the leaders of the APC in the state, Chief Samuel Akindele narrated how he felt when the youthful politician picked the party’s ticket.
“Since 1950 when we started active politics, we have not witnessed this kind of quality representation. His predecessor who spent two terms ran away immediately he was elected only to come back for re-election under a new party. We thank God our people showed him the exit door. With this, Oyo has started witnessing new things,” he said.
The chairman of the Oyo Metropolitan Club, Taiwo said he felt bad when he watched members of the National Assembly fighting each other over leadership position.
He said: “I did not see anybody in abeti-aja, symbol of our Alaafin, as the imbroglio lasted. ýI have to commend Prince Adeyemi for toeing the path of honour by supporting party directives against personal wish. He should continue the way he had started.
Earlier, Chief Dijo Ogundiran, who recommended Adeyemi to the Oyomesi, said the lawmaker having started on a brighter note has vindicated him.
While presenting a copy of the 2015 budget to the executive members of the Oyo Metropolitan Club, Prince Adeyemi bemoaned the hardship the town suffered in the hands of the past administration led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), revealing how the Federal Government budgeted for hand-pump well for the town. He, however, assured that things would change with the emergence of the Muhammadu Buhari administrationý.
Former chairman of Oyo West Local Government Area, Mr. Wale Ogunmola praised the lawmaker for the gesture, saying he was happy to be associated with him.
A call has been made for a more invigorated and better equipped Marine Police that would provide effective security and make the Lagos waterways more secure.
The Director of the Department of Security Service (DSS) for Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Oluwasoji Babalola made the call at a safety and security stakeholders meeting organised by the LCDA, for leaders of Ijede and its environs, at the LCDA community hall Ijede on Friday.
While appraising the security situation in the area, following a string of robbery attacks in Lekki and Ikorodu in which the robbers escaped through the lagoon, Babalola called on the Federal and the Lagos State Governments to intensify their investment in Marine Police in order to ensure the combat readiness of the force in order to guarantee safety of the waterways.
He said robbers are operating at will and escaping through the lagoon because they knew that the fire power of the Marine Police is weak.
He said a more combat-ready Marine force would make the waterways too hot for criminals to contemplate using as getaway from a crime scene.
He said: “To truly make Lagos hot for robbers and other criminals, we must develop a robust security network that must plug all loopholes and make our waterways watertight security-wise.”
He equally challenged local governments and LCDAs with riverside boundaries to establish local Security Trust Fund to give logistic support to the state government’s intervention in making the state safe from criminals. Hoteliers, banks, companies and corporate organisations within the area, he said, should assist in raising such fund.
Babalola challenged residents to come up with information regarding anyone with questionable characters, adding that such persons may be a robber.
“Robbers are human beings like us and that information you are volunteering to security agencies may save a life or prevent the loss of valuables,” Babalola added.
The DSS Director urged the community not to be afraid of robbers, but rather, they should always inform the security operatives on security and safety matters so that necessary actions can be taken.
He advised youths to make good use of their time and eschew cultism.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary Mr Olawumi Rasak Ajetunmobi said the meeting was put together to address the issues of insecurity and safety of lives and property in the area, saying the meeting became imperative because of the recent robbery incidents in the lkorodu/Ijede axis.
The Executive Secretary reiterated that the meeting, which comprised community leaders, CDAs, youth groups, security operatives, market men and women, artisan groups and other stakeholders, will come up with recommendations aimed at fortifying the LCDA.
He assured the community that the council would leave no stone unturned in implementing all resolutions arrived at, at the meeting.
Describing security problems in the community as poor, he said there is the urgent need to gather the community leaders, CDC chairmen, youths, security operatives and all stakeholders for the meeting so that they can jointly address the issues.
At the meeting, the establishment of a strong vigilance group that would work in concert with security operatives was canvassed. It would, among others, help monitor security and report any security breaches in the LCDA. This group is to be supported and managed by the police headquarters in Ijede community.
An eye witness of the recent robbery at Lekki and the Medical Director of Ijede General Hospital Dr. Amure, who appealed to the state government to equip the Ijede Police headquarters with modern gadgets, alleged that they are shabbily and poorly equipped.
He said his observation was that the robbers were better equipped, adding that the police weapons were no match to theirs. He also called on the government to provide more patrol vans and help maintain the existing vehicles and motor bikes for the police so that they can be more effective in the discharge of their duties.
Calls were also made for the establishment of a banking forum for all the banking facilities within Ikorodu, so as to promote fast dissemination of information among the banks, such that in case of an attack in one bank, the other banks can quickly be contacted before they are attacked.
The CDC chairman, Mr. Rotimi Owolabi urged the government to expedite action on all recommendations to avoid the closure of the few existing banks in the area as a result of continued insecurity.
The community said a more meaningful relationship must be cultivated among all security agencies if riverside communities would have respite from incessant attacks by criminals. They called for such relationship among the Air Force, Police, Customs and the Marine Force in order to abate crime on the nation’s coastal areas and waterways.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of products produced by students of the council’s vocational centre, with a call by the Executive Secretary on members of the community to patronise the products.
Products on display included after shave, bleach, hand wash, liquid soap and izal disinfectant.
He encouraged the youth to register in the vocational centre in order to learn a skill to keep themselves busy.
Dignitaries that attended the event were the Council Manager- Mr Adewumi Ogunbambi and other management staff of the LCDA, members of the caretaker committee: Mrs Shakirat Awosanya (Deputy Executive Secretary), Mr Moruf Hassan Enitan, Mr. Sunday Aro and Mrs Tokunbo Afolayan.
It was a ray of hope and joy at the weekend for the inmates of Kirikiri Maximum Prison and the children and staff of Heart of Gold Hospice Motherless Babies’ Home in Surulere, as the General Overseer, Word and Spirit Assembly, Lagos, Pastor Chris Ekeh, celebrated his 40th birthday with them.
The event started with prayers, praise and worship to Almighty God, after which the inmates and staff of the Prison expressed gratitude and appreciation to the pastor for the gesture.
While addressing the inmates, Pastor Ekeh urged them to confess their sins and put their hope in God, saying soonest God will set them free.
He advised them not to see their present condition as the end of their lives, adding that it will make them become agents of change in future.
“Being in the prison is not the end of life but God wanted to use it to bring about the forgiveness of their sins, salvation; deliverance and to transform their lives.”
He urged them to always smile irrespective of the difficulties because there is hope when there is life.
They were further enjoined to hope in God in all circumstances, saying that those who were yet to accept Jesus Christ should do so, because in Christ there is word, life and everlasting prosperity.
The man of God said he chose to celebrate his birthday with them just to thank God.
He said: “Forty years is not 40 days. Many of those they grew up together had died, while many have ended up as prisoners due to some crimes that metamorphosed from picking pockets. When they are doing that, they believe they are enjoying. Despite the oppression and intimidation then, God prevented him from joining them.”
According to him, he wants to use the opportunity to positively transform lives both morally and spiritually.
“Life is not only about party and what you take but what you give to impact to humanity. Life is not about contributions and distributions,” he said.
He urged the inmates to ensure their experiences in the pris on counts after their freedom.
The clergyman pledges to visit them regularly and ceaseless supports to them and the prison yards.
Responding, the inmates raised their hands towards the direction of the clergyman and prayed for him that God should continue to elevate him, his family and the ministry.
The Assistant Controller of Prison (ACP) Iriri, who spoke on behalf of the management, praised Pastor Ekeh for his love and kindness in celebrating his birthday with inmates of the prison. He appealed for continued visit to them and be part of the agent that will find solution to the challenges facing the prisoners in the course of serving out their term.
He said the inmates are lagging behind, saying some programmes such as education, skill training and empowerment, motivators, generating sets and food items are lacking.
The birthday cake was cut in support of the important dignitaries and church members present at the event, while various gifts and other essential items were provided for the inmates and children at the motherless babies’ home.
Among those who were present at the event included popular Nollywood stars such as Chinyere Winifred Ameachi Muonago and Ebere Okaro.
Some of the items donated to the home were money, food stuffs, baby clothes, diapers and sanitary materials.
While receiving the items, the proprietress of the motherless babies’ home, Mrs. Adedoyin Adelaja, thanked the clergyman and his entourage for their support. She urged them to be more committed to the service of humanity and champion the cause of the less-privileged people.
She also called on Nigerian leaders, politicians, religious leaders to support the less-privileged morally and financially. Through this, she said, the level of poverty and nuisance would be reduced if not eradicated in the society.
Experts have called on the government to monitor the rate of the nation’s population growth at a symposium organised by the Lagos office of the National Population Commission (NPC) at the Lagos Airport Hotel in Ikeja. WALE AJETUNMOBI reports
With its population growth rate rising faster and uncontrolled, Nigeria, according to a report by United Nations International Children Emergency Funds (UNICEF), will account for one-tenth of world birth in the next 35 years. But, with the country still struggling to cater for four to five million children born yearly, uncertain future waits the generation of unborn births.
How to mitigate vulnerability of these unborn children dominated discussion at a seminar organised on Tuesday last week at the Lagos Airport Hotel in Ikeja, by the National Population Commission (NPC) to commemorate this year World Population Day.
Experts at the event believe the children are likely to be vulnerable to natural and man-made crisis, because of over-stretched resources. Except the nation puts a functional counting mechanism and monitors birth rate, speakers at the event said national planning and access to services would continue to be inadequate.
The NPC Federal Commissioner for Lagos, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, who spoke on the theme Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies, said emergency situation occasioned by conflicts and natural disasters had become synonymous with developing countries, noting that there was need to review the humanitarian response to those with heightened vulnerabilities.
She said the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) classified high risk population in emergencies with “heightened vulnerabilities” and they include new born babies, children separated from the parents, unaccompanied children, orphans pregnant adolescents, women with infants and persons with chronic diseases, among others.
She said the objective of the seminar was to increase awareness on the plight of vulnerable persons and redouble the commitment t of the stakeholders to contribute to their needs.
She said: “The specific objectives include to evolve a sustainable solution in addressing the needs of vulnerable person and to ensure provision of requisite data on vulnerable persons for informed decision, planning and interventions. We will engage private sector to complement government’s efforts and galvanise policy-makers to take appropriate actions in the short-term and long-term to address the causes of preventable emergencies.”
In the last five years, Salu-Hundeyin said, the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast has resulted in large-scale population movement in emergency situations, stressing that stakeholders’ efforts should be directed towards mitigating the suffering of victims in various Internally-Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
While the IDPs may see their predicament as limitation to make their life meaningful, the Commissioner said vulnerable populations could also make contribution to the development of the country through spreading of peace messages and campaign.
She emphasised the need for accurate data of the nation’s population, noting that it would be difficult for the government and emergency-response agencies to plan without reliable data. Making reference to a recent boat mishap that claimed the lives of 11 school children in Ojo area of Lagos, she said uncontrolled population growth in cities is resulting in over-stretching of available resources and services, which, she said, is increasing human vulnerability.
On measures to address the needs and solve the challenges of vulnerable populations, Salu-Hundeyin identified steps to follow by the government and emergency-response agencies.
She said: “Government must address causes of conflicts and communal clashes. There must be collaboration between stakeholders and organisations that have expertise and capacity to deal with handling of diverse vulnerable populations. There is need for action plan at the grassroots level and government should empower communities with training and equipment that will assist the victims. This would reduce fatalities and put relief structures in place before emergency response arrives.”
The UNICEF representative, Mrs Sharon Oladiji, shocked members of the audience when she revealed the IDP camps could not accommodate five per cent of all persons displaced by insurgency in the Northeast. Many of the IDPs, she said, live in pathetic conditions in communities that relatively peaceful.
While health condition in the IDP camps is not encouraging, Oladiji said many of the victims of insurgency living outside the camps are faced with dire health challenges.
She said: “We have found out that many IDPs are living in various communities outside the camps, because the facilities cannot contain them. We have since discovered that many of them who are living outside the IDPs camps don’t have good shelter in their hosting communities. They face serious health challenges, even more than those being accommodated in the IDP camps. This is clear evidence that there has not been a concise data of the IDPs and coordinated emergency response to properly address the victims’ need.”
Oladiji identified lack of records on birth as impediment to the effort to get accurate information on the vulnerable population. This, she said, is also the reason why national planning process has turned out to be ineffective in catering for the basic needs of the people.
She added: “It is vital for Nigeria to have a functional counting system, so that the country can monitor its population growth and plan ahead of time. There is a new report that, Nigeria will have one-tenth of birth in the world in the next 35 years. This may be conservative because births have not been adequately recorded in the country. Except we organise our counting system and get accurate data, any plan to mitigate suffering of the vulnerable population would be ineffective.”
