The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has urged clerics to focus their Tafsir (explanation of the Qur’an) on peace, unity, tolerance and understanding among Nigerians.

The Etsu Nupe, who is the Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, said this at a meeting with Islamic clerics in his Wadata Palace in Bida, Niger state.

Alhaji Abubakar said Ramadan provided an opportunity to preach for sustainable peace, unity and socio-economic prosperity of Nigeria.

The traditional ruler said clerics should conduct their sermons to abide by Islamic injunctions.

He cautioned preachers against provocative sermons capable of inciting public disturbance.

The Etsu Nupe said that preachers should always preach the message of peace to their fellowship.

“Religious preaching during this period should be targeted at maintaining harmonious relationship among the people and nothing should be done to divide the people,” he said.

He appealed to wealthy Nigerians to assist the less privileged improve their living standards.

By Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Kwara State Commissioner of Police and Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara state command, Mohammed Bagega and Ahmed Bello have canvassed revival of the decaying cultural values.

The duo also admonished well-to-do in the society to lend a helping hand to the needy, adding that poverty and absence of love are part of causes of insecurity.

The duo added that the rejuvenation of the Nigerian norms and culture would curtail anti-social behaviour amongst youth.

They spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at a Ramadan lecture organised by an Ilorin-based private radio station, SBS FM.

Bagega urged Muslims to continue the spirit of good neighbourliness even after the end of the spiritual exercise.

Represented by Abdulrahman Tijani-Adekilekun, a Superintend (SP), the police chief sued for sound moral education for the health of the society.

Bello hailed the gathering, saying it “is also an avenue for people to come together and understand one another and iron out issues affecting the country.

“This is the time to educate our people to shun illicit drugs and things that are against societal values,” he said.

Earlier in his sermon, Imam AbdulRazaq Aduagba attributed the societal malaise and insecurity in the country to moral decadence and non-adherence to the teachings and lessons of Ramadan.

Alhaji Aduagba added that the month of Ramadan is a season for spiritual revival, purgation and moderation.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday hosted his Nigerien counterpart, Mohamed Bazoum, to a Ramadan Iftar (breaking of fast) at the State House, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Iftar dinner was meant to share blessings of Ramadan while promoting harmony and mutual understanding between Nigeria and Republic of Niger.

The visiting president and his delegation arrived at 6.45 p.m, and he was received by Buhari at the State House Mosque, where they prayed together before proceeding to the Banquet Hall.

Buhari had earlier in the day in his office met with the Nigerien leader, who was on his first international trip after inauguration on April 2.

The two sub-regional leaders had discussed issues of mutual interest, including security and economy.

President Buhari yesterday joined Muslim faithful in the State House mosque for the Ramadan Tafsir (explanation of the Qur’an).

The President, who was accompanied by personal aides, was attending the Tafsir for the first time in two years, following the closure of the Mosque throughout the Ramadan last year due to the restrictions in public gatherings put in place by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, now renamed Presidential Steering Committee (PSC).

In his sermon, the Chief Imam of the Villa, Sheikh Abdulwahid Abubakar Sulaiman, lamented that groups and individuals have been spreading concocted and senseless stories regarding COVID-19, misleading a large number of people.

He called the epidemic ”a trial from the Almighty, as well as a leveller and equalizer of humanity.”

The Chief Imam urged Nigerians to continue to observe the regulations put in place by the relevant authorities to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Some top officials of the Nigerian government at the dinner included Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffery Onyeama; Minister of Defence Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd); and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.

Others were the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Munguno (rtd); Director General of National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufa’I and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

On the entourage of Bazoum were Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hassoumi Massasou; Deputy Chief of Staff, Djibo Daouda; and Nigerien Ambassador to Nigeria, Alat Migaskia.

 

 

By Adeola Ogunlade

The General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission, (Happy Family Centre), Bishop Charles Ighele, has called on the federal government to shun divisive polices and body language so as to ensure sustainable peace in the country

Ighele gave the charge in a chat with members of Association of Christian Correspondents of Nigeria (ACCoN), who paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Akonwonjo, Lagos as he clock 66, said that the underlying problem that is facing the country is hinge on increasing spate of social inequalities across the country.

Ighele said “there is a class war currently going on in Nigeria. The rich have eaten the poor enough, and now, it is the turn of the poor to eat the rich.

“The government needs to go take urgent action by jettisoning divisive polices and body language, so as to ensure peace in the land. No nation grows by the philosophy of who you know, rather, by who is qualified”, he said.

He said that social institutions like banks, army, police, others should be made inclusive rather than exclusive, adding that no nation grows by the philosophy of who you know rather than who is qualifies.

Ighele noted that Nigeria currently lacks all the indices that make great nations of the world

He said: “Nigeria is currently lacking all the indices that make great nations of the world. The only panacea that would liberate Nigeria from the status of a failed nation, is when a a strong benevolent and nation builder is enthroned as leader. The Nigerian elite know nothing of nation building, but nation funds accumulation”,

On social decay witnessed in the country, Ighele said Nigeria has become more uncivilized than it used to be, adding that the whole system took a u-turn to the bad side, when the military took over the mantle of leadership in the country.

Speaking on the eroding quality of education, the bishop noted that without sound and solid education, a country or people cannot progress.

“Education is key. Education equips you on how to at issues. Without education that is solid and sound, the country or its people can go nowhere”, he said.

The Bishop advised President Buhari to write his name in history, by making right the wrongs witnessed during his administration.

He said: “a nation which has failed can rise again. I want President Muhammed Buhari to succeed in office, but at moment, the president has reached the peak of his capacity, and he should seek ways to increase his capacity. The president should consult other nations on how they extricated their nations from their own problems.”

The cleric noted that Nigeria’s political structure has been configured in such a manner that honest youths and well-read Nigerians cannot penetrate into politics.

Bishop Charles Ighele, who was born in Warri, Delta State in 1955, officially became the Presiding Bishop of the Holy Spirit Mission in January, 1997, after the Founder, the late Bishop Michael Marioghae handed the mantle of leadership of the Church over to him in December, 1996. He was consecrated a bishop on December 4, 1998.

He is happily married to Rev. Carol Ighele (nee Marioghae). The union is blessed with children and grandchildren.

 

 

By Adeola Ogunlade

The Parish Priest of St Anthony  Catholic Church,  Rev Monsignor Bernard Okodua has charged church leaders to remain committed to the preaching of the truth of God’s word and shun mundane thing.

Okodua has said this at a press conference announcing the commencement of the 60 days celebration as part of the event lined up to celebrate the Diamond Anniversary celebration of St Anthony  Catholic Church, Gbaja, Surulere in Lagos, said that  ministers of the gospel are expected to preach the undiluted message of Jesus that saves and prepare men for heaven.

The programme will featured A Day with elder, 70 years and above slated for 27thth April, 2021, Parish Youth Day will hold on the 2nd of May, Men’s Day with the Parish Priest, 8th, May and Children’s Day Celebration on the 23rd of May, among others.

He cited the words of Paul to Timothy when he admonished him to preach the truth and insist on it whether they want to hear or not because a time is coming when people will be tired of hearing the truth and will be looking for teachers who will teach what they want to hear.

He noted that we must continue to close the moral gaps that exist in the society through the gospel, we must not be enmeshed in the corruption in the society so that our message will be effective and impactful/.

He asserted that the Holy Bible teaches us not to lose hope and not despair or be dismayed. The risen Christ has brought light to the world and we must let his light shine by proclaiming the good news among men.

He posited that part of this good news is that our Parish has continued to grow in leaps and bounds from the humble beginning of 1961 into prominent Parish within the firmament of Lagos Archdiocese.

He said our anniversary day is our annual feats day, the feast of St Anthony, we have decided to celebrate in a grader day of celebrations. We have also decided to begin early as a build up to the D-day, hence 60 to 60 catchphrase.

In his words, the Associate Priest of St Anthony Catholic Church, Rev Fr Victor Okhiria noted that the celebration of our Diamond anniversary is not merely simplistic but a strong assertion of our values and belief which we held for the past 60 years: the contributions of the Parish to its immediate environs: and more emphatically a message to all about our unrelenting commitment and continuous response to needs and growth of the immediate community.

He started that the role of the church in the modern world as a transformation and change agent cannot be exaggerated. All over the ages, the church has been involved in the life of humanity, structuring of society with its functions and institution and in shaping the form and quality of political systems.

By Taiwo Alimi

St Mark’s Anglican Church Magboro, Diocese of Egba West is rolling out the drums to celebrate its 10th anniversary and thank God for the grace to march on.

Billed to hold at the church auditorium on Sunday, April 25th, 2021, the anniversary celebration will be marked with a launching of N25million church building project.

According to the Vicar, Rev. Canon Jacob Oladejo, the Father of the Day will be no other than the Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Samuel Ogundeji, to be ably assisted by the Ven. Emmanuel Akinyele, Archdeacon Ibafo Archdeaconry.

Chairman, planning committee, Sir George Amadi, said the chief launcher of the day is Dr. Adeolu Adeyeye while Barr. Joseph Eneigbose is the chairman of the day.

He noted that special thanksgiving events to thank the Lord for upholding His church in this trying period have been specially prepared and uppermost in their mind is to finish the building project and dedicate it in the shortest possible time.

“We want to thank God for sparing our lives after all that has happened around the world. It is by his grace that we are alive and the best way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of His church is to give back onto His glory,” added Rev. Canon Oladejo.

By Sunday Oguntola

Presiding Bishop of Rhema Christian Church and Towers Ota, Ogun State, Taiwo Akinola, has urged the Federal Government to criminalise ransom taking and payment to stem the tide of abductions and kidnapping across the nation.

He lamented kidnappings have become so attractive that only criminalisation of ransom taking and payment will serve as deterrence to those involved.

Akinola also challenged the Federal Government to deal ruthlessly with criminals regardless of their status and origin to arrest rising insecurity.

He spoke last Sunday during a briefing in the church ahead of its mini-convention slated for May 8 at City of Zion on Molufinrin,  Wasimi along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

The cleric said the mini-convention is a prelude to the 30th anniversary of the church billed for November.

Bemoaning the spate of insecurity in the nation, he said: “Nigerians in the present times are being inundated with reports of killings, herdsmen/farmers clashes, robbery, communal strife, ransom-taking, with resultant disasters and economic depression. Farms are being emptied and the means of livelihoods of many citizens destroyed in many parts of the country.

“In fact, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of terrorism have escalated in the nation in recent times, with school children and students being traumatised with harrowing experiences in the hands of these criminals.

“The impression all these give is that our Government is so helpless, despite the fact that the duty of securing lives and property should be the number one duty of government.”

Read Also: SEUN AJILA : I graduated as an orphan

To change the tide, Akinola, a former lecturer, said there were needs to criminalise payment and collection of ransoms.

According to him: “The bandits have continued their reign of terror on the innocent citizens just because of the money they get out of it.

“They see it as a lucrative venture. But if they see that their gains  from  criminality  are  far  out  of  sight,  they  will  most probably retrace their steps.

“I am quite aware that making and implementing such laws may appear tough and inhuman at the beginning but where sustained,  I  believe  that  within  a  short  space  of  time, kidnapping for ransom will go down drastically, and eventually become a thing of the past.”

He also said criminals should be ruthlessly dealt with saying government cannot afford to let people believe it has lost its power of force.

“If criminals are regularly made to taste the brutality of the law through frontal  punitive  measures  and  public  disgrace,  it would serve to deter these criminals and others who are planning to tow such lines.

“It is important to say that if government wishes to succeed in its war against criminality in the society, it must be fair and seen to be fair to all citizens alike. Criminality must be tackled without consideration for ethnicity, region or religion.

He called for a day of national repentance and prayer because there is nothing God cannot do.

Such prayers, he said, would be offered at the mini-convention with the theme “The power of covenant.”

The Assistant General Overseer, Administration  and Personnel of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Johnson Odesola, has called on the federal government to wake up to its responsibility of securing the lives and property of the citizens as the whole system in Nigeria is collapsing.

Odesola said this after a thanksgiving service held recently at the RCCG, Throne of Grace, National Headquarters, Ebutte-Metta, Lagos. The programme ‘Destined to win’.

According to him, looking at what is happening in Nigeria, if not that God has destined Nigeria to win; it would have been worse off. It’s very disheartening that the whole system is collapsing, not just the health system.

The cleric noted that the primary responsibility of any government was the security of its citizens and to improve their living condition.

Odesola said “no security, the state of education is in comatose, nothing seems to be working in Nigeria except people want to lie and be mischievous, nothing is working. This is the only time we have people in government who don’t address any issue regaining its citizens except talking about their ambition.

“That’s very disheartening. That does not mean God will not work out things. But at the moment, nothing is working; security is nothing to write home about. There is a challenge with our educational system; we have problem too with our healthcare delivery and the economy isn’t in good shape at all.”

The cleric charged Nigerians to continue to pray and choose right in future elections, even as he reiterated the need to restructure the country.

He noted that the present challenges facing the country should not make us hopeless, God has already destined it in the spirit world but we need to download it and that’s why prayers is very adequate and that’s why we need to keep praying..

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, former Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing, Alhaji Lateef Okunnu (SAN), former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Usman Bugaje and a Political Economist and Founder, Centre for Value in Leadership, Prof. Pat Utomi have urged Nigerians to uphold the unity of the country.

According to them, tribalism, religious sentiment, hate speeches and fake news are among issues threatening the existence of Nigeria

They along others spoke at the 26th Pre-Ramadan Lecture of the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA).

The themed is Though Tribe and Tongue May Differ: Interrogating Nigeria’s Nationhood.

Alhaji Mohammed said his ministry realised in 2017 that fake news and hate speeches were threatening the unity of the country, hence organised a National Council and Information Summit to discuss it.

“We followed it up in 2018 by launching Campaign Against Hate Speech. We know it is not limited to Nigeria, but we have tried to sensitise Nigerians about the danger of hate speeches and fake news,” he said.

Okunnu, who chaired the event, said the country has never been this divided on ethnicity lines as being witnessed in the country today.

Okunnu said there was no case of ethnicity in the history of Nigeria, but today it has been injected into the politics by some elements for their personal gains and attempt to break up the country.

While citing examples of leaders who have governed the country in different capacities, Okunnu said, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikwe became influential in the country without promoting ethnicity.

He said: “We knew nothing about ethnicity when I was born regardless of our origin. When I was growing up as a schoolboy, I followed politics before I clocked ten. I read newspapers in the restroom.

“Ethnicity could not divide us. In fairness to Awolowo, he did not use Egbe Omo Oduduwa to govern the Southwest. Nnamdi did not use Igbo Union to govern when he was the Premier and same for Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Ibrahim Bello. The Nigeria I grew up in premised on unity. We must not allow ethnicity to divide us.”

Dr. Bugaje, stated that competency should be the driving force that can take Nigeria to a greater height.

He opined that national consensus as a panacea to the issues arising from conflict.

Bugaje urged the ruling class and elite to focus attention on the next generation as statesmen think of their next generation.

“The issues ahead of us are that of food, education, employment, infrastructure. How can we be competitive in all of these to grow our economy?”

“We need to put policies in place to help us re-orientate Nigerians through the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to change people’s mind-sets of hatred and animosity,” he said.

Prof. Utomi reminded Nigerians that permanent crisis stalls development and that there’s no action without theory.

“And there cannot be development if we are not thinking things through. It makes us make mountain out of molehill. In our country, we seem unable to have rational public conversation because we are captive of emotions. And we have a moral duty to elevate our country beyond what we have currently.

“As it is, Nigeria is travelling in the wrong direction and leadership will determine the commitment we give to education. Knowledge and sense of service are required to have quality leadership as Nigerian state is captured. We must rethink our democracy,” he advised.

The Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Prof. Afiz Oladosu identified the various challenges confronting the nation and called for a guided restructuring.

UMA’s President, Alhaji Shuaib Salis reminded everyone of the fact that Nigeria has been a blessing to humanity.

“In solving South Africa apartheid and other nations’ crises, we are always there to play positive roles; though we have issues that we need to fix but not to break up but fix the gaps,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, commended the leadership of UMA and all members for the great initiative and impact.

He promised to continue to support every move to take the University forward while praying for peace in Unilag and the whole country.

National Orientation Agency (NOA) Director-General Dr Garba Abari gave a round down of activities of the agency in curtailing hate speeches and fake news.

Dr Abari said the agency has an advocacy programmes to sensitise community and traditional rulers.

According to him, NOA has visited 88 higher institutions to engage the youth to cultivate good value.

By Segun Showunmi, Ibadan

Popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhyideen Ajani Bello, yesterday said Oyo State has gone back to the era of hooliganism.

According to him, nothing has changed for good in the state after Ajimobi left office as the governor.

Sheikh Bello said this during the 1st Annual Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi Memorial Ramadan Lecture at Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi Central Mosque, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

According to him, the former governor of Oyo State, has died, but the legacy he left behind cannot be forgotten by the people of the state.

Sheikh Bello noted that Ajimobi tried his best while alive touching many lives, adding that people of the state particularly Muslims will miss the ex-governor.

He said: “Insecurity has returned to the state, people can no longer move freely, we have gone back to the era of hooliganism where people in the state can no longer sleep with their two eyes again.”

Chairman of the event, Alhaji, Mutiu Oladejo a.k.a. Onimalu said that people in the state missed positive impact of the late Ajimobi, saying that the legacy left behind by the late governor cannot be over emphasise.

He, however, called on Muslims across the state to come together and support themselves, and stops looking for their mistakes.

“Ajimobi has done his best while alive which people in the state can never forget his footprint,” he said.