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  • How killer shot Church members – Reverend

    How killer shot Church members – Reverend

    More details have emerged on Sunday’s shooting incident at the St.Philip Catholic Church,  Ozubulu, near Nnewi in Anambra state where eight persons were confirmed dead and and 18 others injured.

    The Parish Priest Reverend. Fr. Jude Onwuaso said that the attack took place at about 6.30 a.m. during a Holy Mass celebration.

    According to the priest, an unidentified man came into the Church, shot at a man, Chief Akunwafor Ikegwuonwu, before shooting sporadically at other worshippers.

    An eyewitness, who simply identified herself as a choir member, said that the church was dark as there was no light.

    She said that the generating set suddenly developed fault; so, the mass proceeded with the congregation using candles.

    According to her, the gunman, after the shooting, immediately jumped into a waiting car with a driver.

    Governor Willie Obiano  has however  vowed not to rest until the perpetrators of the killing are brought to justice.

    Obiano made the vow when he visited the scene of the killings in company of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Garba Umar.

    The governor expressed grief over the death of the worshippers, describing the attack as “barbaric, sacrilegious and totally unacceptable”, while also debunking speculations of possible invasion.

    According to him, intelligence report linked the shooting to an existing feud existing between some members of Umuezekwe Ofufe Amakwa community of Ozubulu living abroad.

    “It is an isolated case and I urge worshippers in the Church and residents of the area to go about their normal activities.”

    Obiano assured the community that his administration was on top of the situation and later visited the injured persons receiving treatment at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Univerity Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi.

    He promised that the state government would pay the hospital bills of the victims.

    He also said that 50 doctors had been mobilised to the hospital to assist in providing the best medical care to the injured persons.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor also visited Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Cathedral, Nnewi, where he addressed a congregation of worshippers.

    He intimated the worshippers on the true picture of the incident, saying there was nothing to worry about.

     

     

  • Church shooting update: Eight worshippers killed, 18 injured

    Church shooting update: Eight worshippers killed, 18 injured

    The attack at St. Philips’ Church in Ozubulu, Anambra State was instigated by disagreements between two drug barons, The Nation has learnt.
    It was gathered that gunmen around 7am, stormed the church and opened sporadic shots at worshippers.
    While initial reports stated that between 20 to 50 persons were killed, the Police Commissioner in charge of the state, Garba Umar said eight worshippers were confirmed dead, 18 others hospitalised and three yet-to-be identified persons fatally wounded.
    It was gathered that two natives of the town who are drug barons and resident in South Africa had disagreements in that country and brought it home.
    Thugs loyal to one of the men, it was learnt, stormed the church and killed the father of the other alongside other worshippers.
    Condemning the  incident, the Commissioner said efforts were on to arrest the drug lords and other culprits.
    He said: “It is a sacrilege to storm a church and attack worshippers. Thr attack was carried out by assassins.  Eight worshippers were confirmed dead and 18 hospitalised. Three unknown persons were fatally wounded. We are yet to ascertain who they are.
    “The shootings was as a result of a fight between two individuals from the village. They are resident in South Africa and they brought their fight home.
    “It is true that they killed the father of one of the two men fighting. Both men. We have not made any arrests but ate making efforts to get them all.”

  • Catholic Church backs open grazing prohibition law in south

    THE Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) a social and justice arm of the Catholic Church has expressed concern over the state of prisons and the menace of herdsmen in the country. In a communiqué issued at the end of the 26th meeting of the directors of the Benin Province held at St Paul’s Catholic Church, Campus II, Abraka, Delta State, the JDPC acknowledged the efforts of Acting President Prof. YemiOsinbajo and that of all the governors of the South –South and South East in ensuring peace and stability in the country. The communiqué read in part: “The recent activities of herdsmen in our country causing violence and destruction of farm lands and properties have become an issue that we must not neglect. This is because of the havoc caused by the herdsmen especially in the middle belt. “We are aware of the recent Law on “Open Grazing Reserve” by the Federal Government. However, states should have the prerogative to prohibit open grazing most especially in the southern states of the federation where grazing is not the usual business of the day.

    We therefore recommend all the states in Southern Nigeria to enact an Open Grazing Prohibition Establishment Law. In strong terms we condemn the violent killings and attacks of these herdsmen on people and farmlands and call on the Federal Government to do more than just passing the law, but to address the issue accordingly and arrest perpetrators as deterrent measures. “We also observed through our work, the dilapidating state of some of our prisons, the poor sanitation owing to congestion/overcrowding of our prisons, and its consequent effect on the health of inmates. Despite the efforts being made by JDPC and other humanitarian groups to provide health support and medication for inmates as well as seminars on hygiene. Much needs to be done. “Of important concern is also the rising trend of human trafficking. If a trafficker is prosecuted and convicted, it will serve as a deterrent to other traffickers or would be traffickers from engaging in this dehumanizing trade.”

  • Catholic Knights Elect Officers

    Arch. Johnny Ngonadi has been re-elected the Grand Knight of the Order of Knights of St. Mulumba, Lekki Sub-Council. The election which was conducted over the weekend, was supervised by the Chaplain of the Lekki Sub-Council, Rev. Fr. Michael Okonkwo produced Benji Ofodile as the Deputy Grand Knight. Emmanuel Ikazoboh emerged as the Worthy Lecturer, while Tony Chiejina was elected the Public Relations Officer. Dominic Nkwopara returned as the Secretary of the Order and Anthony Bassey was voted as the Worthy Chancellor.

    Rev. Fr. Michael Okonkwo urged all elected officers to work for the spiritual and common good of the church. He noted that leadership is a noble desire and that leaders are guided by virtues that promote peace, humility, meekness, honesty, charity, temperance and above all, service.

    The election produced Peter Iwegbu as Financial Secretary, Chiwetalu Obikwelu as Auditor, Obinna Anyanwu as Treasurer and Felix Aromeh as Assistant Secretary.

    In his acceptance speech, the Grand Knight Johnny Ngonadi implored for cooperation among brothers and sisters in order to enhance the reputation and image of the sub-council.

    “We have to innovate and bring fresh actionable ideas in the various committees set up in the sub council”, said Johnny Ngonadi. He reminded worthy brothers to uphold the tenents of knighthood both in the secular and spiritual spheres and to live out what they preach. As noble knights, “we must leave a timeless legacy in those we come in contact with and constantly evangelise the word of God to the ignorant”, he said.

    In a similar occasion, the Ladies of St. Mulumba, Lekki Sub council elected Lady Nnenne Ukairo as President and Lady Theresa Chiejina as Vice President of LSM Lekki Sub council. Other officers elected are Nkechi Iwegbu (Secretary), Lady Obehi Osifo Ogbebor (Assistant Secretary), Lady Angela Odoemenem (Treasurer), Lady Akunne Obikwelu (Financial Secretary), Lady Tayo Akinyede (Provost 1), Lady AntoinetteNwanoneze (Provost 2) and Tochi Okwor (Physician).

    The LSM President, Lekki Sub-Council, Lady Nnenne Ukairo pledged commitment to work harmoniously with the brother knights to strengthen the Order and make the Lekki Sub-Council a leading light in the Lagos Metropolitan Council.

  • Catholic Knights host 400 mass choir concert

    In commemoration of its 40th Anniversary in Nigeria, the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) and Ladies Auxiliary, Lagos, will on  May 29,  host a 400 mass choir in a Choral Classical Concert.

    The event, which will hold at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, Lagos, begins at 1pm.

    The ceremony, which will be chaired by Sir Chuks Amangbo, also has the President- General, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Sir John Nnia Nwodo as Special Guest of Honour, while the Vicar-General of Lagos Archdiocese and Spiritual Director of KSJI, Lagos, Monsignor John Aniagwu, will serve as the Father of the Day.

    According to the Chairperson Organising Committee, Lady Nonye Okafor, the concert, beyond being the commemoration of KSJI 40th Anniversary, is also a celebration of the Catholic Faith, as can be seen in the collection of some of the hymns that will be rendered on that day, which consists mostly of Catholic hymns.

    Lady Okafor said: “Significantly, we assembled these choristers from various Catholic parishes in the Lagos Archdiocese, and we chose the 400 mass choir because we have taken each 10 years of KSJI existence in Nigeria to constitute one hundred choristers.”

    KSJI is a family apostolate in the Roman Catholic Church founded in 1048 AD in Amalfi Italy; and came to Nigeria in 1976.

    Recently, KSJI Nigeria with it’s over 15,000 members celebrated its 40th Anniversary.

     

  • Meningitis immunisation team member dies in auto crash

    The Catholic Church on Sunday confirmed the death of Rev. Sister Christiana Umeadi, Health Coordinator, in an auto crash.

    In a statement signed by Rev Fr. Christian Anyanwu, Director of Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), in Abuja, said Umeadi, untill her death was a member of Sokoto Diocese.

    Anyanwu said that Umeadi who was returning to her station after participating in mass cerebrospinal meningitis immunisation, was involved in an auto crash at Bakura, in Zamfara State.

    He said that the medical team had covered several parts of Sokoto diocese for the immunisation in the last one month and as the outbreak got worse the health team intensified their efforts.

    The states they covered, he said, include: Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi.

    Anyanwu explained that Umeadi led her team to Zamfara State for the immunisation exercise in March, where they were billed to spend just a day in Gusau town.

    Anyanwu noted that her remains had since been deposited in the morgue at the Usmanu DanFodio Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto.

    He said that her immediate family, the Dominican Congregation, the Diocese of Sokoto and all her patients were left in utter shock and disbelief.

    “We all resign to the will of God and trusting that our Sister will rise again at the resurrection,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that until her death Umeadi was the Assistant Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Gusau, and Zamfara State.

    The church has yet to announce a date for her burial.

    NAN reports that health officials reported over 100 cases of cerebrospinal meningitis in Sokoto State with five deaths.

    Officials also reported no fewer than 80 people have lost their lives to meningitis in Zamfara in the last two months, the state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Suleiman Gummi has said.

    Meningitis had earlier killed at least three students in a Secondary School in Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

    Severe heats occasioned by intense solar radiation and living in congested apartments are parts of what medical experts believe are causing meningitis. (NAN)

  • ‘Catholic education must promote critical thinking’

    The National Association of Catholic Diocesan Directors/Secretaries of Education (NACDDED), says Catholic education must be at the forefront of expunging radicalism via critical thinking and not unthinking defence of God.”

    National Chairman of the association Rev Fr. Richard Omolade, who stated this during their NACDDED national conference in Calabar, Cross River State capital, said in an age of religious bigotry and fanaticism, Catholic education must be seen to be truly holistic, producing not just religious thinkers, but also scientists who are able to contribute to human development.

    The three-day event which had as its theme: ‘Catholic education: Yesterday, today and tomorrow – The way forward’, was hosted by the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Calabar Archdiocese, Most Rev. Joseph Ekuwem.

    The association said Catholic education must also strive to preserve her identity as a faith-based educational enterprise.

    Members frowned at government policies that tend to lump everybody together, demanding a uniformity, which they said precludes creativity and uniqueness.

    “Catholic education today must be structured as to prepare people not just for now, but the future. Critical thinking skills must be an intergral part of that education such that our students are helped to think critically so that problems can be solved in their unique varieties, instead of parroting answer fashioned by teachers.

    “Catholic education must bequeath to the world a civilisation of love, not just of certificate. It must focus on the promotion of a culture of life as against the current culture of death, in a world riddled by war, waste and destruction,” he said.

    An 11-point communiqué at the end of the conference, condemned the role of the ministry of education in some states which attempt to compel Catholic schools into Membership of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools/Association of Private Schools Owners of Nigeria (NAPPS/APSON). NACDDED says Catholic schools are voluntary agency schools, and should therefore be recognised as such.

    They however, appreciated the efforts of some state governments in ensuring the formulation and implementation of good educational policies, and encouraged other states to do the same.

    The association also resolved that Catholic schools should continue to ensure provision, training and retraining of staff to meet the required standard of education, as well as continue to improve on the provision and maintenance of relevant infrastructure.

  • 150,000 get loans from Catholic agency

    The Catholic Bishop of Ijebu-Ode, Albert Fasina and Rev. John Ngoyi, have urged government to tackle poverty in the country.

    The clerics said unless Nigerians, particularly women, were empowered, there might not be peace in the land because of hunger.

    The duo spoke in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, at the weekend during the recognition and award ceremony for women, who excelled under the Centre for Grassroots Economic Empowerment (CGEE) scheme of the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic diocese of Ijebu-Ode.

    Rev Ngoyi, director of JDPC, said about 150,000 women from Southwest states, including Kwara, had benefited from the CGEE soft loan scheme since it began in 1992.

    He said a beneficiary received at least N50,000 take-off loan and tutorial on skills for running small enterprises.

    Ngoyi added that CGEE is the Catholic’s answer to Christ’s call on the church to care for the poor, the downtrodden and widows, explaining that everybody must be involved in the struggle to get Nigeria out of recession.

  • Better days ahead, Catholic bishop tells Nigerians

    Despite the hard times the nation is facing, the Catholic Archbishop of Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Reverend Adewale Martins, said there are better days ahead.

    He urged Nigerians to keep faith in God and offer prayers for the government to surmount the current challenges.

    The archbishop yesterday spoke at the solemn admission of about 1,000 faithful into Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

    The event was held at St. Luke’s Military Catholic Church in 174 Battalion Army Barracks, Odogunyan, Ikorodu.

    Rev. Martins said there is no problem too big for God to solve, noting that the current challenges facing the nation were a reminder for people to move closer to God and seek divine intervention in solving the challenges. The Catholic bishop told leaders not to overstretch the people’s patience, saying they needed to seek divine guidance in their efforts to bring lasting solution to the current challenges.

    Justice and fairness, he said, must be the government’s guiding principle to lead the country out of hardship.

    He said: “We should hope for the better in face of present challenges. I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel in. But, we need to be patient and remain in prayers for the country. Our leaders should not take our patience for granted. Governments at all level need to listen to all complaints from the people and address them.

    “The people need to have assurance that something is being done to solve the challenges we face in our economy, with the falling of Naira and key infrastructure. Our leaders should seek divine intervention in taking the country out of its challenges and they must be guided by principle of fairness and justice.”

    Admonishing the inductees on selfless service, Rev. Martins urged members of the association to imbibe the exemplary values of Jesus Christ, saying their admission into the association was a call to selflessness and godliness.

    The national president of the association, Group Captain John Ebiye (rtd), said the significance of the event was rooted in manner of birth of Jesus. He said members must engage in activities that would promote happiness and peace among people of all faiths.

    The president of the Lagos council, Cyprian Arinze, said the association was dedicated to the teachings and values of Jesus Christ. He advised the new members to emulate the teachings and propagate Christ’s message of love among people.

  • Catholic priest to Buhari: review workers’ wages

    Catholic priest to Buhari: review workers’ wages

    Rev. Vincent Idanwojo, the parish priest, Our Mercy Queen of Martha Catholic Church, Sabo Lugbe, Abuja, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to address the high cost of living in Nigeria.

    Rev. Idanwojo, who spoke with reporters yesterday in Abuja, said the economic hardship had made it necessary to review the wage of workers.

    He, however, hailed Buhari’s efforts in tackling insurgency and corruption and called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the President and others in authority so that they could provide good leadership.

    “We need to pray for them as enjoined in the Bible.

    “We can equally criticise them constructively for the good of the land.

    “The President should try and ameliorate the suffering of the masses to further enhance his credibility and goodwill among Nigerians.”