The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • COMMENTS

    COMMENTS

    For Olatunji Dare

    Thank you so much Prof Dare for your explanation on the memoir and the magistrate. The judge should be heavily sanctioned or sent back to the Law school. This kind of ruling incites violent reaction; in fact it makes ’Boko Haram’. As for the editors at The Nation, please Prof organise seminars for them. Their negative reaction to anything about Obasanjo: good or bad, is very unbecoming. Freedom of speech is very important. How can a judge attempt to stop somebody from talking because he felt what he will say may be libellous? From Abimbola Rotimi, Ondo State.

    Good morning Sir, Re: Mainstreamers at work. There are two Nigerians as a student in the mid seventies most of my colleagues and I would have gone to war for any day, we thought. But I am happy and I believe most of my colleagues too are happy to have had the opportunity to see the flip side of these guys. God bless you. From Msb Mahmud, Lagos

    Why not the court allow Chief Obasanjo’s book circulate rather than ban it to expose the evil acts of our leaders, despite that Obasanjo himself is not saint over the allegation levelled against our leaders for their conducts? If we continue hiding things without exposing evil acts, Nigeria will not move forward. From Gordon Chika Nnorom

    Sir, Ebino Topsy is confused where he is and ashamed to return home. He has destroyed all he stood for as a youth. Imagine Ebino campaigning for Obasanjo, and what of Omisore. Haa! Wonders shall never end. Anonymous

    When some people say IBB is an evil genius, I always disagree with them. Rather Obasanjo is in the best position to be called that name. Obasanjo was part of those who introduced zoning system into the country but turned around and said there was no zoning in 2011.  Inconsistency is the most  powerful attribute of Obasanjo during and after his tenure. He should check his record first before descending on others because he who points a finger at someone, the remaining four are pointing at him or her.   From Hamza Ozi Momoh Apapa Lagos.

    Re-The memoir and the magistrate.  Justice Ashi is one of them, doing judgment the manner he feels rather than considering what the entire  laws say- criminal, civil, administrative, constitutional etc. Although former president Obasanjo should have respected the law and go back to court(s) to challenge the wrong  judgement of Justice Ashi rather than also breaking the law by going ahead to launch his book ‘MY WATCH’. This is why it may take Nigeria a long time to grow. Were it to be the poor that breached the law, your guess is as good as mine. Both of them acted ultra-vires. From Lanre Oseni.

    Uncle Ebino deserves whatsoever name you call him. Must he join PDP? Please, tell Sam Omatseye to do more of Ebino political disaster in subsequent write up. No apology to him. From Isaac.

    Prof. You rightly condemned Buruji and Justice Ashi for the petitioning and granting of the petition against the publication of the Obasanjo book without first going through it. But then you also seem to have fallen into the same ditch by writing on the book when you have neither set your eyes on it nor read the content there from. Or don’t you think that what influenced your writing on the book without first reading it could equally be the same that motivated them to want to stop the publication without first going through the book? Of course the petitioner, I think, wouldn’t have resorted to the court action had he given a second thought to it. It isn’t only ridiculous for him to opt for a legal action against the publication of a book he hasn’t read, he was also by the court action inadvertently attracting wider attention to the said libelous- content in the book, contrary to his reason for wanting to stop the publication in the first place – From Emmanuel Egwu. 

     

    For Gbenga Omotoso

    Your article is quite splendid and germane to the socio-political events in the country. You’ve done more than Santa Claus by doling out Christmas gifts to everyone that leads our political and economic terrain. Your article is steep in humour, laden with parodoxical tropes, spiced with oral acrobatics. You are indeed the editor of the year, the Achebe of journalism. Anonymous

    Mr Omotosho I just read your Christmas day piece. You were a little bit biased in the Santa gifts galore. Are you saying the Labaran Maku; Dr Peter Ayodele Fayose; Chief Nyesom Wike; Mr Femi Fani-Kayode and other  enfant terrible are undeserving of your largesse? Haba! Try and make the list more exclusive in the spirit of the season. My own gift for you is a lorry load of ink for your  ever sharp pen. From Olusegun Owoeye. Kogi State.

    You did not mention Dieziani in your article. Why? Does she not deserve a space here? Thanks and Merry Christmas.By now Nigerians studying the Jonathan-led PDP administration have come to sure conclusion that a leopard cannot change its spots.  let us take their money and still vote them out this time around. Wankar Daniel

    Reacting to your piece, When Santa comes to town, as witty as it sounded, our leaders should be ashamed of their performances in the out-going year. Though, we know shame doesn’t appear in their dictionaries. Hope we can gift them the humble pie at the polls in 2015. From Adesina Kunle, Abeokuta

    For sure your gift to Emperor Okupe was the best. But will he read and study those quotations? You have done your very best. Compliment of the season. Anonymous

    I always enjoy your style in the editorial notebook. Please keep it up. From N. O. Olawore

    ‘When Santa comes to town’ is a master piece and a good parting shot for them. Ph.ds with tunnel vision. You left out Rueben Abati. How come? From F Onagoruwa.

    Thanks for your piece; Santa comes to Town, in The Nation today. But what yuletide gift do you have for our own Reuben  Abati? He seems missing  in action these days. It would have been interesting to hear from him in these seasons of change versus transformation agenda. From Wole Alawode, Ijagbo, Kwara State.

    My dear Omotoso, thanks  for those generous gifts. But alas! You’ve left out the almighty-Petroleum Queen? She deserves Santa Claus gift too. Anonymous

    Mr. Gbenga, your gift to Mama Ngozi, for her misdirection of the Nigerian economy, is most fitting. You are a fine literary pugilist. From Sam.

  • Cameroon kills 41 Boko Haram fighters in air raid

    Cameroon kills 41 Boko Haram fighters in air raid

    Cameroon’s army has launched air strikes against Boko Haram militants  – the first since their incursion into that country from their base in northern Nigeria.

    The sect’s members provoked the air strikes after invading some towns in northern Cameroon at the weekend. The Cameroonian military fought back, killing no fewer than 41 of the sect’s fighters.

    Cameroon Information Minister Issa Tchiroma said yesterday in Yaoundé, the Cameroonian capital,  that the coordinated assaults on five towns and villages showed a change in tactics by Boko Haram fighters, who focused on hit-and-run raids on individual settlements in the past.

    “Boko Haram’s campaign to carve out an Islamist caliphate has spread from its stronghold in Northeast Nigeria to neighbouring Cameroon, raising fears for an already unstable region also threatened by Islamist militants in the Sahel,’’ he said.

    He added that Cameroon sent thousands of soldiers to its Far North region to fight off the militants.

    It launched air attacks on the movement for the first time on Sunday.

    “Units of the Boko Haram group attacked Makari, Amchide, Limani and Achigachia in a change of strategy which consists of distracting Cameroonian troops on different fronts.

    “Making them more vulnerable in the face of the mobility and unpredictability of their attacks,’’ Tchiroma said.

    He said no fewer than 34 militants were killed after the army laid siege to a base used by the militants in Chogori and seven others, plus one soldier were killed near the town of Waza.

    Cameroon Army spokesman, Lt.-Col. Didier Badjeck, said Boko Haram fighters  briefly occupied an army camp in Achigachia after a fierce fight, but withdrew after air attacks.

    “All the militants had now pulled back into Nigeria,’’ Badjeck said.

    Both Tchiroma and Badjeck said it was too early to give full details of casualties.

    Boko Haram has killed over 40 soldiers and recruited hundreds of youths during raids in Cameroon’s Far North region this year.

    Also at the weekend, Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam visited Niger Republic to persuade over 4,000 residents of the state, who fled the Boko Haram crisis, to return.

    More than 4,000 residents of Gaidam, Kanamma and Yunusari, fled to Maine Soroa in Niger Republic after their towns were attacked.

    The governor visited the refugees camp  on Saturday, conducted round by the premier (Governor) of Diffa region, Alhaji Yakuba Usman.

    Usman said the people were offered shelter in the area with 1,385 in camp, being fed by Niger Government while 3,000 refugees were living with friends and relatives in Maine Soroa town.

    Gaidam promised the refugees that the Yobe State government would support them, but asked them to return home, noting that more soldiers would be deployed to strenghten security in the state.

    Some of the displaced persons expressed regret that security forces fled their towns as the terrorists invaded their communities.

    The governor also visited Geidam, his hometown, to commiserate with the people and to assure them of support following the devastating attack on them.

    Gaidam, who inspected the military base in the area, the Divisional police station, the local government secretariat and the Geidam market and other damaged public and private property, assured the people of his government’s support.

    The governor expressed his condolences to the families of those killed. He deplored the attacks which he described as “wicked, sinful and brutal.”

  • Boko Haram attacks northern Cameroon

    Some 1,000 suspected Boko Haram fighters attacked five towns in northern Cameroon over the weekend and briefly occupied a military camp on Sunday before being removed by the air force, an army spokesman said.

    The heavily armed group attacked the military camp in Achigachia near the Nigerian border at around 4 am following an intense battle, Lt. Col. Didier Badjeck told Reuters by phone.

    “After that, the head of state ordered the air force to carry out strikes. With the bombardment, the fighters were forced to decamp from Achigachia,” Badjeck said.

    He could not immediately give the number of casualties from both sides. That was the first time Cameroon had used the air force against Boko Haram.

    Boko Haram, which is fighting to create a caliphate in northern Nigeria, has stepped up attacks on both sides of the border, prompting Cameroon to sent thousands of soldiers to the region to stop the militants.

    Cameroon state radio CRTV said the militants carried out attacks on five towns over the weekend and at least one Cameroonian soldier was killed.

    The attacks were carried out simultaneously at the localities of Mokolo, Guirvidig, Waza, Amchide and Makari, villages along the frontier with Nigeria, CRTV radio reported.

    The sect has made several incursions into the Far-North Region of Cameroon this year, killing over 40 soldiers and recruiting hundreds from mainly unemployed youths in the area.

  • Boko Haram kills 23 in northern Cameroon

    Boko Haram kills 23 in northern Cameroon

    The Boko Haram insurgents have killed 23 people and burnt down a village in an attack on Mozogo district in Cameroon’s Far North Region, an official said at the weekend

    Regional governor Mijiyawa Bakary said: “We are still gathering the facts from our divisional officers, but what we know for now is that the attackers killed at least 23 people. The damage could be more.”

    A soldier on the front who did not want to be named told CNN by phone that the insurgents carried out a similar attack along the Waza-Mora highway on Friday, killing a Cameroonian soldier.

    The soldier said “a corporal was killed and three soldiers were wounded. The attackers also confiscated a (Toyota) Land Cruiser belonging to the Cameroon military.”

  • ‘Boko Haram paralysing Northeast’s economy’

    ‘Boko Haram paralysing Northeast’s economy’

    The Minister for National Planning, Dr. Abubakar, has lamented that activities of the Boko Haram insurgency group have devastated and paralysed the economy of the states and communities in the Northeast.

    The minister spoke through the Acting Secretary of the commission, Bassey Akpayung, at a meeting organised with development partners on the security challenges in the zone.

    He maintained that the effects of the insurgency were devastating with the local economy being paralysed, lives and property wasted.

    The minister said the Presidential Initiative for the Northeast (PINE) seeks to develop a framework to revitalise the economy of the zone and leverage on the activities of the states and local governments as well as the development partners.

    He added that the initiative was expected to come up with a sort of Marshall Plan that would be used to mobilise support for targeted intervention funds.

    He  called for deepening of interventions in the region and also reiterated the need to work in a better collaborative manner with the stakeholders in the intervention activities.

    The minister explained that  “the meeting was organised to examine the current situation in the Northeast region and fashion out ways to re-strategise and coordinate the efforts aimed at achieving a better result and also to reach more of the internally displaced persons in the region.”

    “Insurgency seems to be recurring in this part of the country, but the scope, scale and impact of the current intrusion as well as the dexterity of the perpetrators is out of proportion to any previous one. The  current insurgency, perpetuated by the Boko Haram sect, was initially traced to the neighbourhood effects of the Arab Spring in the North Africa,’’ he said.

    Also speaking at the meeting, representative of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhassan Nuhu, said about  868,000  people have been displaced  by insurgency groups and flood.

    Nuhu said the Federal Government, through MEMA, “is providing medical consumables, ambulances, clean water and provision of boreholes for Internally Displaced Persons in various camps.”

  • 20 of Borno’s 27 LGs now under B/Haram control

    20 of Borno’s 27 LGs now under B/Haram control

    – State has 2m Internally Displaced Persons

    The Borno State government painted a graphic picture of Boko Haram terrorism in the state when it says that the sect has seized control of 20 of the 27 local government areas of the state over the last five years.

    Only Maiduguri Metropolitan, Jere, Konduga, Kaga, Bayo, Kwayakusar and Biu local government areas remain in government hands.

    The state also said it has 2million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to cater for and that it recently evacuated 45, 000 of such displaced persons from neighbouring Adamawa State. These facts were made available by the state Deputy Governor, Zanna Umar Mustapha.

    More are to be evacuated, Mustapha said during a sympathy visit to IDPs from Askira Uba, Lassa, Chibok, Gwoza.

    He added that the welfare of the IDPs alone is costing the state N600m per month.

    The deputy governor commended the military and other security agencies in Adamawa and Borno states for their battle against insurgency in the North-East but appealed to them to intensify their efforts.

    He assured the IDPs of government’s resolve to bring the situation under control.

  • Boko Haram strikes in Cameroun

    Suspected Boko Haram militants killed at least 23 people and burned a village down in Cameroon’s Far-North Region, according to a Cameroon army source, Saturday.

    The attack took place in Mozogo, a locality near the Nigerian border, Xinhua reported.

    The locality hosts over 8,000 Nigerian refugees living in makeshift camps, where five people were killed in an attack by militants in November, the source said.

    Boko Haram militants, who have strengthened their attacks on Northern Cameroon since 2013, clashed with the Cameroonian army in Amchide, Makari and Waza, and three other localities in the Far-North Region Friday and Saturday.

    The source said that the Cameroonian army managed to repel the simultaneous attacks, adding, “The situation is stable for the moment,” and that no casualties were recorded on either side.

    The name Boko Haram, translated from a local dialect, means “non-Islamic education is a sin”.

    The Boko Haram has become a major security threat in neighbouring Nigeria since 2009 and according to the Nigerian government; this radical Islamist terror group has killed more than 3,000 people this year.

    Earlier this month, Cameroon’s army had killed 116 Boko Haram fighters when the insurgents attacked an army base in the far north region of Amchide.

  • Christians celebrate Christmas in Borno despite restriction

    Christians celebrate Christmas in Borno despite restriction

    Despite the ban on vehicular movement in Maiduguri metropolis and other parts of Borno state until the end of the yuletide celebration, there was high turnout of Christians in churches to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.

    Worshippers had to travel from long distances within to attend the Christmas mass at different locations in the town.

    St. Patrick Catholic Church Maiduguri was one of the churches that witnessed a high turnout of worshipers despite the palpable fear of a suicide attack on the worshippers by the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

    In his sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Most Rev. Dr. Oliver Dashe Doeme assured the worshipers, many of whom are Internally Displaced Persons from Adamawa part of the diocese ( Pulka, Madagali, Gulak, MichiKa ,  Mubi ) that he will “be with them even in the deepest dungeon”.

    “My dear people of God, the priests, religious and the entire lay faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, I extend my fraternal greetings to all of you especially at this trying moment in our life as a church.

    “On the menace of Boko Haram, to say that we are experiencing severe test of our faith in this diocese hardly requires an emphasis. We are thoroughly devastated by the Boko Haram attacks. All our parishes in areas such as Monguno, Gamboru Ngala, Bama, Pulka, Madagali, Mataka, Gulak, Kaya, Yaffa, Shuwa, Michika, Bazza and Betso are under Boko Haram control. As a result of this, thousands of our Catholic faithful have been displaced. Many of them are on top of the mountains, thousands are in the Cameroun, and thousands are in Yola as well as in Maiduguri city among others. There are over twenty of our priests who have been displaced and are managing with their brother priests in the Diocese of Yola (thanks to the kind gesture of Bishop Stephen Mamza) and a few of them are squatting with their friends elsewhere.

    “Since the crisis began, thousands of people have been killed. There are hundreds of our women and children who have been adopted. Some of the men have been forcefully conscripted into the Boko Haram army. In the recent attacks which led to many of our people fleeing, a lot of our aged people have been trapped in these areas. Some of them have been killed by the sect members, while others have died of hunger. There are many of you whose family houses, shops and vehicles have been vandalized or burnt down. The animals and crops belonging to some of you have either been looted or destroyed. The destructions done to our church structures both in the cities and villages are enormous”.

    Bishop Doeme praised the faith of the worshippers who have made it to the church on the Christmas day.

    Samuel Amaza one of the worshippers who spoke with our correspondent expressed joy for for seeing them through their trying times.

    “We have to thank God that we are alive today. Some of our people have died. Even though we have no homes now, we still hinge our hopes on the almighty the creator of  Heaven  and Earth.

    “It is our  believe that this problem of Boko Haram would not last forever. Our land will witness peace again. Our peace would be everlasting after these bad times. The scriptures have said it all. It will surely come to pass,” Amaza said.
    Rev. Fr. Gideon Obasogie, the Director of Catholic   Communications in Maiduguri Diocese   noted that, “despite the security lapses and challenge Christmas was celebrated with great joy and faith in the city of Maiduguri. We hope and pray that the forth coming Nation’s elections would be tension – free and that the threat of terrorism would be a thing of the pass”.

     

  • Boko Haram: Where is God?-Bishop

    Boko Haram: Where is God?-Bishop

    PASTORAL LETTER: A MESSAGE OF CONSOLATION TO THE PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS AND THE LAY FAITHFUL OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF MAIDUGURI.

    May the God of all consolations console all of us.

    My dear people of God, the priests, religious and the entire lay faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, I extend my fraternal greetings to all of you especially at this trying moment in our life as a church.

    The menace of Boko Haram. To say that we are experiencing severe test of our faith in this diocese hardly requires an emphasis. We are thoroughly devasted by the Boko Haram attacks. All our parishes in areas such as Monguno, Gamboru Ngala, Bama, Pulka, Madagali, Mataka, Gulak, Kaya, Yaffa, Shuwa, Michika, Bazza and Betso are under Boko Haram control. As a result of this, thousands of our Catholic faithful have been displaced. Many of them are on top of the mountains, thousands are in the Cameroun, and thousands are in Yola as well as in Maiduguri city among others. There are over twenty of our priests who have been displaced and are managing with their brother priests in the Diocese of Yola (thanks to the kind gesture of Bishop Stephen Mamza) and a few of them are squatting with their friends elsewhere.

    Since the crisis began, thousands of people have been killed. There are hundreds of our women and children who have been adopted. Some of the men have been forcefully conscripted into the Boko Haram army. In the recent attacks which led to many of our people fleeing, a lot of our aged people have been trapped in these areas. Some of them have been killed by the sect members, while others have died of hunger. There are many of you whose family houses, shops and vehicles have been vandalized or burnt down. The animals and crops belonging to some of you have either been looted or destroyed. The destructions done to our church structures both in the cities and villages are enormous.

    Therefore as a church, families and individuals, we are wounded, traumatized and devastated. Each of us is experiencing a lot of pains and anguish, because we have lost our dear ones, our property, our wealth and our church structures. At this time a lot of questions are being asked by many of us including myself: where is God? Has God abandoned us?  Are we being punished because of our sins? How can God allow the agents of the devil to destroy his innocent children? Is God weak? Can evil triumph over good? Etc.

    As people in flesh and blood it is okay to ask these questions. Even Jesus Christ while on the Cross asked his Father as to why he abandoned him. While hanging on the cross and in terrible anguish Jesus said, “Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God why did you abandon me?” (Mk. 15:34). But did Jesus receive any response from his Father? No. It was the Father’s will that Jesus had to die on the cross in order to accomplish his mission – the salvation of mankind. And it was not until on the day of the resurrection that Jesus’ question was answered. On this Pope Benedict XVI emeritus says:-

    “Many times we ask God to deliver us from physical and spiritual evil – – – however, we often have the impression that He doesn’t hear us and we run the risk of becoming discouraged and of not persevering. In reality, there is no human cry that God does not hear – – – God the Father’s answer to His Son was not the immediate freedom from suffering from the cross or from death; through the cross and his death God answered with the Resurrection.”

    Vatican City, May 30, 2012, VIS).

    My dear people of God, we will not hear any response to our questions now, until God achieves his purpose through these our painful experiences. But for sure the ultimate result of our pains and anguish is for God’s name to the glorified and for our own purification and edification. Moreover, God does not need to take permission from us; before he brings any experience into our lives be it joyful or sorrowful. And this is what makes him God. As human beings, we can never comprehend the ways of the Lord. This is the reason why in the book of (Prophet Isaiah 55:8-9) Yahweh echoes; ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts. My ways are not your ways. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours.”

    Keeping our Faith Alive. My dear people, let us keep our faith alive. We should never get discouraged. Our faith should make us see beyond the immediate experience and look at the future – that is, after this temporal life with its pains and suffering, we shall share in the eternal glory of our Lord. And so we need to have unshakable faith in God despite what we are experiencing. I always tell you my people that there are two precious gifts of the Lord that on no account should we allow anybody to separate us from them. And these are our faith and our souls.

    Therefore, don’t deny your faith no matter the forces around you. Even if it means death, die for your faith. How can you deny the Author of the universe because of the pressure from mere human beings?  How can human beings make you deny the One who has promised heaven for you? “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, who can destroy but body and soul in hell.”  (Mt. 10:28-29). I want to thank God for these our members who have preferred to die with Jesus than to deny him. They are modern heroes and martyrs. As regards our souls, the book of wisdom reveals: “But the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and no torment can touch them” (Wisdom 3:1). Even while in the hands of terrorists, place your souls in the hands of God the owner of your life.

    All that we need to do is to constantly trust in the Lord and his works.
    The Psalmist captures this well by saying; “I trust in God and I am not afraid; I praise him for what he has promised. What can a mere human being do to me?” (Psalm 56:4). The early disciples had great trust in the Lord to the extent that even when they were tortured for their faith they rejoiced. St. Paul in prison wrote the Thessalonian believers encouraging them to “be joyful always, pray at all times, and be joyful in all circumstances.” (1Thess. 5:16-18a). The experience of Job and his response to the disasters that Satan brought upon his family is edifying. On hearing the news on the calamities that had visited his family Job said, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb and naked shall I go back there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

    But is it not because we are children of light that we are being hated? Jesus declares: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness; but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). As followers of Jesus we walk in the light. And those persecuting us are children of darkness. They are children of the world and so live in darkness. Darkness and light are never friends, and can never meet. Since darkness belongs to the devil, so his agents are carrying out his works – the destruction of lives and property. But ultimately Jesus the eternal light will drive away the devil (the prince of darkness) away from us.

    Be consoled my people:

    The unshakable love of God. My dear people, be consoled that the love of God for you and me is unshakable. What we are experiencing does not in any way imply that God is loving us less. It is in these sufferings that our Lord draws closer to us so that his tenderness and care will be felt the more. The Lord is assuring us that he will never let down any of us his children. The Lord through prophet Isaiah reveals; “Do not be afraid – I will save you. I have called you by name – you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I am with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire; you will not be burnt; the hard trials that come will not hurt you” (Is. 43:1-2).

    Be consoled my people for God the Almighty is with us. Even though we are suffering, but it is be short lived. For Yahweh our God asks. “But the people of Jerusalem say: ‘The Lord has abandoned us. He has forgotten us’.  ‘Can a woman forget her own baby and love for the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her children, I will never forget you. Jerusalem I can never forget you! I have written your names on the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:14-16). With these assuring words from the Lord on his love towards us, let us remain confident despite our troubles.

    I say be consoled my people, for St. Paul who suffered greatly because of his faith, assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. He continues thus; “No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor  the world below – There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:37-39).

    The Role of Mary our Mother. My brothers and sisters, be consoled that we have a mother who never fails. Mary our spiritual mother who stood by her Son during his passion even to the very time his body was taken down from the cross is standing by us in this trying moment of our lives. Our Mother Mary, whom the devil and his agents dread, is making it clear to us her children that this battle is her own. She has already begun the fight on our behalf and will fight until she wins.

    The Virgin Mary is the Help of Christians. She is our Lady of Perpetual Help. And this is the title we have given to our Marian Centre in St. Louis Pastoral Area Mataka. There is no end to her assistance to us. Let us then not waste time in getting closer and closer to her. We must become true Marian disciples who are not only devoted to the Marian devotions, but spread these devotions among God’s children.

    My people, let us become more committed to the Rosary. Through the rosary procession, our Mother has intervened in the lives of her children whether as individuals, groups, families, nations or races. She has saved them from the claws of the enemy. May our Mother Mary be honoured, cherished, loved, blessed and praised in our lives both now and forever. Amen.

    Prayer remains the most powerful weapon. Be consoled my people, be consoled because we have the strongest weapon at our disposal, and that is P R A Y E R. We don’t have physical weapons such armored tanks, APC, Jet fighters, rocket propellers, rocket launchers, AK47 among others. The enemies trust in these arms, but we in the Lord. On this the Psalmist echoes: “Some trust in their war-chariots and others in their horses, but we trust in the power of the Lord our God. Such people will stumble and fall, but we will rise and stand firm. (Ps. 20:7-8).

    Therefore, do not grow weak in prayer; do not give up praying. This can be the devil strategy to cut the line of communication between you and your Lord. Jesus invites us to a life of constant prayer: “And so I say to you, ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. For anyone who asks will receive, and he who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocked.” (Lk. 11:8-10). Let us continue to ask, seek and knock, and for sure the Lord will restore the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri to permanent peace.

    Draw closer to God. My people, be consoled that God is there for us. And so a big lesson we are learning from this crisis is that we need to draw closer to God. We have sinned in many ways against God and against one another. This is the time for us to avoid all circumstance of sin which separate us from our God. The admonishing of St. James is very pertinent: “So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will run away from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! Be sorrowful, cry and weep, change your laughter into crying, your joy into gloom! Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.” (James 4:7-10). For God to listen to our supplications, we need to struggle to live sinless lives.

    Praying for the forgiveness of the Terrorists. Again I say be consoled my dear people for the spirit of forgiveness God has implanted in our hearts. Forgiveness is the only thing we can give to the Terrorists and their sponsors. Forgiveness in this instance is very difficult. But we must forgive, since our Lord Jesus forgave his executioners: “- – -Father forgive them! They don’t know what they are doing – – -(Lk. 23:34). Jesus commands us to forgive those who hate and persecute us. This attitude gives Christians a distinct character. We are not like the gentiles, because we are taught not to take revenge on those who wrong us. The revenge is the Lord’s. No matter the magnitude of the harm these people cause us, let us still forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.

    Victory is already in sight Be consoled my people because our victory is at the corner. Terrorism will certainly disappear from our environment. This is so because the ones that are with us are more than those that are with them. Rejoice my people because God the Father is with us; God the Son is with us; God the Holy Spirit is with us. Be consoled because our Mother Mary is with us. The Arch angels and our patron angels are with us. The countless saints in heaven are with us. The modern martyrs, our brothers and sisters killed because of the persecution, have joined the triumphant army in heaven and are interceding for us daily.

    Be consoled, for I, as your servant (bishop) am with you in spirit wherever you are, whether in the forests or mountains, or caves or bushes, towns or villages, I am there with you sharing in your pains, troubles, anxieties and anguish.

    Let me say with St. John Chrysostom that, “- – – where I am, there also are you; where you are, there too am I; we are one body. The body is not apart from the head, nor the head from the body. We are separated only by space, but are united in love. Not even death can cut us apart. For even if my body dies, my soul will live on, and will remember my people.”

    Is it our property that have been destroyed? God will restore them back to us, both temporally and eternally. Be consoled my people and say with prophet Habakkuk: “For though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit appears on the vine. Though the yield of the olive fails and the terraces produce no nourishment. Though the flocks disappear from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord and exult in my saving God. (Hab. 3:17-18).  And so be consoled and rejoice in the Lord my people for our victory is at hand. The enemy is about to be overthrown.

    May Our Lady of Perpetual Help, be our Mother, our love, our refuge, and our rock.

    May she continue to extend her maternal care toward us her children in this diocese. May she shield us from the snares of our foes.

    Shalom!

    Yours in Christ,

    Most Rev. Dr. Oliver Dashe Doeme

    Bishop/Trustee

    Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri.

  • Boko Haram has no Islamic bais, says Sultan

    Boko Haram has no Islamic bais, says Sultan

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar has urged Muslim youths to desist from actions that will continue to compromise the security of the nation.

    Alhaji Abubakar who is the President- General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs stated this at the formal opening of the annual Islamic Vacation Course, IVC of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Southern Zone held at Km 53, Lagos/ Ibadan Express way.

    Alhaji Abubakar who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria, MUSWEN said Muslim youths should resist temptation from anyone to commit any act that would lead to violence as Islam remained a religion of peace.

    “ We have said it times without number that any act that breeds violence like the one being exhibited by Boko- Haram has no basis in Islam. As you are aware, our religion, Islam stands for peace as its name denotes. So let us remain peaceful always, so that we may live a peaceful life here and be accommodated in the home of peace in the life to come.”

    In a keynote address, the National President, MSSN, Mallam Sirajudeen Abd-Azeez enjoined the federal government to find a lasting solution to the problem of insurgency which continued to threaten the unity of the country.

    “ The once great and giant nation is at the verge of collapse. It is no more news that terrorism is on the rampage taking over our lands on a daily basis. We want to reiterate that Mr. President should address the nation on why the country is under siege by the terrorists. Why have the insurgents continued to beat the nation’s military arsenals despite the billions of dollars voted for security? Why have the terrorists become stronger even after a year when some States in the North- East have come under partial emergency rule”.

    Mallam AbulAzeez also called on the President to put a stop to the threat by his kinsmen to unleash terror if next year’s election was not in his favour.

    “Different ethnic militia are threatening they will let loose if their candidates are not elected. The worst threat is coming from the Niger- Delta Militants who have been threatening to cause violence should their tribe-man is not returned for second time”.

    He questioned the rationale behind the sentencing of about a hundred soldiers for demanding sophisticated equipment to fight the terrorists.

    “Why are these unfortunate warriors being tried secretly or secret trial of soldiers not against their fundamental human rights and spirit of democracy? Why is it that for the first time, Nigerian army that have been celebrated for successful peace keeping mission in many African countries are now rebellious and some have to be sentenced to death for making legitimate demands”.

    The National Legal Adviser of All Progressive Congress, APC, Dr Muiz Banire urged Muslims to always demand for their rights in legitimate manner.

    “Pro-activeness is very essential, don’t ask for anything special, ask for equal opportunities with others”.