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Tag: cleric

  • Save Nigeria, cleric appeals to delegates

    Save Nigeria, cleric appeals to delegates

    Anglican Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese Ebonyi State, Bishop Monday Nkwoagu has urged delegates to the National Conference to be ready to make some sacrifices in order to save the country or risk its unity in the nearest future.

    Bishop Nkwoagu, who spoke in Nnewi while addressing journalists, warned the delegates to the national conference to be committed and patriotic.

    He said: “We have been suffering from social and religious injustices in this country. What is happening in this country, particularly in the Northern parts is getting out of control. See how people are being slaughtered everyday in thousands as if they are not human beings.

    “A lot of people are being marginalised. For instance, the South-eastern part of the country is the only region that has five states while others have six. It appears as if there is insecurity in the country but these are caused by fellow Nigerians.

    “There are no employment opportunities, crime rate is high and high cost of living is on the increase, when God has endowed us with abundant human and material resources.

    On those who opposed the convening of the conference, Bishop Nkwoagu said: “Remember I said in the beginning, may God help us so that we may not break up, even though the President has spelt out the modalities and rules including secluded areas that are no go areas that will not, in any way, solve our problems.

    “The country will not stand as one unified nation if nothing is done to address the imbalances in the system.

    “Of course, there is no end in sight to the marginalisation, economic and social injustice as well as religious intolerance among different ethnic groups in Nigeria. What the United States of America speculated about Nigeria’s break-up in 2015 may be inevitable.

    “You know we have a problem of leadership, especially among the Igbo nation. This is the more reason we are marginalised and under-developed. We lack federal infrastructural development in the Southeast zone. For instance, look at the issues of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge.

    “Our colonial masters did not consider the interest of these ethnic groups with different cultures and traditions during the 1914 amalgamation exercise. What they did was to lump us together in a way that will benefit them and this has been the bane of our problems.

    “The representatives of the Igbo nation at the conference should know that their nomination was a challenge and therefore should be prepared to defend our common front instead of going there to negotiate for money. Anything contrary to this will perpetuate our continued marginalisation.”

  • How cleric took a minor for abortion – Medical doctor

    A medical doctor, Felix Ogunlade, on Wednesday told an FCT High Court that a 14-year-old rape victim was brought to his clinic for an abortion by an accused, Apostle Basil Princewill.

    Princewill, of Mountain Mover Fire Ministry Church, Nyanya, Abuja, was arraigned on five counts of rape and having unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.

    Other charges are criminal impersonation, criminal intimidation and assault.

    Led in evidence by Simon Lough, the prosecutor, the witness who owned Fantanu Head Medical Centre, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, said the victim was brought for an abortion by her father.

    “The victim was brought to my clinic by the accused who claimed to be her father.

    “He told me the victim was his daughter and she was raped by their senior pastor’s son.

    “He said his daughter was two months pregnant and noticed that his daughter had been trying to abort it.”

    The medical practitioner told the court that he tried to question the victim but the accused was answering on her behalf.

    He said: “I examined the victim and confirmed that she was pregnant.

    “I discovered there was an active bleeding in the vagina and the mouth of the womb was opened with about 3 CM in diametre.

    The doctor told the court that the accused was briefed about his findings and he (accused) replied that he did not want his daughter to die.

    The witness said that he further briefed the accused that the only way to stop the bleeding was to carry out an evacuation on the victim.

    He added that the accused gave him the go ahead for the evacuation and it was carried out on the victim.

    The witness said that he suggested to the accused to file a criminal charge against the pastor’s son, but he rejected the suggestion.

    “My lord, after that, the accused paid me N2,000 for scanning and also paid N20,000 for the evacuation as at then,” he said.

    The doctor’s report was admitted as evidence in court.

    After hearing the doctor’s testimony, Justice Hussien Baba-Yusuf adjourned the case until May 9 for continuation of hearing.

    The accused allegedly sent for the victim sometime in 2012, saying he had a revelation for her.

    The victim had also once told the court that the accused informed her that her step mother was trying to kill her.

    She added that the Lord directed that a quick deliverance must be carried out on her.

    The offences contravene the Penal Code.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

  • Confab: Cleric urges delegates to shun display of superiority

    Confab: Cleric urges delegates to shun display of superiority

    The Bishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Abakaliki, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Agupusi has called on delegates to the national conference to see the forum as where issues of utmost importance to the country are discussed.

    He urged them to shun any display of superiority but to see themselves as equals.

    Agupusi gave the advice in Abakaliki at the 20th annual synod of the diocese which held at Nkalagu circuit with the theme “let my people move forward”

    He said no group in Nigeria is superior to the others by whatever consideration and that the national conference should not fail to produce a new Nigeria.

    The Bishop noted that for Nigeria to remain united and stronger, the elements of equality and equity must be cardinal both in word and in action adding that the delegates should identify the causes of insurgency in Nigeria and the way forward in tackling them.

    He insisted that the national conference should not conclude without producing a new constitution for the federal republic of Nigeria

    “Nigerians have said that the country has no constitution and that the amalgamation was unconditional. I therefore insist that the national conference should not conclude without a general accepted document called constitution,” he stated.

    The Bishop further condemned in totality the use of the National Assembly by some lawmakers as a place for political thuggery.

    He said: “I call on the National Assembly to once again realize that their primary responsibility is to make laws that positively benefit the poor people in the villages who made sacrifices to vote them into the chambers.

    “It should be understood clearly that the chambers are not for political thuggery but for decency and decorum of the highest order even against ones will.”

  • Cleric docked over alleged defilement of 12-yr-old

    A 32-year-old Islamic cleric, Kazeem Jimoh, on Monday appeared before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun, charged with the alleged defilement of a 12-year-old girl.

    Jimoh, whose address was not given, is facing a one-count charge of rape.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Peter Molokwu, told the court that the cleric committed the offence on March 18 at 8.00 p.m. in an uncompleted building opposite Community Primary School, Iloye in Ota.

    Molokwu said that the accused lured the girl into the building and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

    He said that police investigation revealed that the cleric had previously engaged in the act with the girl.

    The prosecutor said that the offence committed contravened Section 218 of the Criminal Code Vol. 1 of the Revised Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Titi Bello, admitted Jimoh to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said that the sureties must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and show evidence of tax payment to the Ogun Government.

    Bello said that one of the sureties must also be an owner of a developed land, while the other should be a civil servant not below Level 14 in the employment of the Ogun government.

    The case was adjourned till May 23, for mention.

     

  • I didn’t beg anyone to withdraw suit against Awujale, says cleric

    I didn’t beg anyone to withdraw suit against Awujale, says cleric

    The Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Alhaji Abdur Rasak Salaudeen, has denied begging Mr. Lateef Owoyemi to withdraw the name of the Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, from the suit instituted against Otunba Subomi Balogun by some members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

    The suit is before an Ogun State High Court, sitting in Ijebu-Ode.

    Alhaji Salaudeen gave Owoyemi seven days to apologise or “face further action”.

    This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Secretary of the Chief Imam-in-Council, Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque, Alhaji Hameed Akorede.

    Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN), in a statement signed by Prince Olasupo Oduwole on his behalf, said he included the Awujale in the suit because he wanted a judicial declaration stopping him (Oba Adetona) from recognising or dealing with Balogun as the head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

    Owoyemi said: “Following the intervention of several respected community leaders of Ijebuland, especially Alhaji Salaudeen and the Ijebu-Ode Council of Olori Itun (heads of the 39 quarters and wards that constitute Ijebu-Ode), I filed a notice of discontinuance of our action against Oba Adetona and brought same to the notice of the palace”.

    Alhaji Salaudeen said: “I refute the claim that I intervened in the above subject matter. Owoyemi should know that what he did is an abomination and contrary to the culture, ancient custom and tradition of Ijebu.

    “As the Chief Imam of Ijebuland and the Wakeel Musulumi of Ogun State, under whose leadership Owoyemi stands as a member of the Ummah, I sounded him a stern warning that what he had done shall have a repercussion on him and his family in the future.

    “I reminded Owoyemi that Oba Adetona, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland and President-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council, should be held in the highest esteem.”

    Alhaji Salaudeen said given this background, it was out of place for Owoyemi to say he was begged to discontinue the suit against Oba Adetona.

  • BRAZIL 2014 fifa WORLD CUP: Nobody is guaranteed a shirt — Keshi warns

    BRAZIL 2014 fifa WORLD CUP: Nobody is guaranteed a shirt — Keshi warns

    Nigeria’s Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has warned Super Eagles squad members that nobody is guaranteed a shirt for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Mexico’s El Tri in an international friendly at the Georgia Dome, Atlanta, United States of America.

    Speaking with journalists at the end of the postulating encounter that witnessed goalkeeping heroics from both sides, Keshi admitted that the African champions did not play their game.

    “This is not the final squad … nobody is guaranteed a spot,” Keshi warned. “We didn’t really play our style. We’ve been out for about four or five months … with different teams … different styles. That’s why I’m glad we played a team like Mexico (that keeps the ball on the ground),” the Big Boss added.

    In a related development, Mexico’s El Tri manager, Miguel Herrera blamed his side’s poor game to lack of training time, even as he noted that most of the Euro-based players in the squad played differently.

    “We need to be co-ordinated,” Herrera said. “With one day of work, it’s very difficult. We were not able to generate a lot of opportunities. There wasn’t enough time to prepare. Too many players were in Europe, and they like to play a certain way.”

    Mexico will return to action again on April 2 when they play the United States in Glendale, Arizona while Nigeria battle Scotland on May 28 in London.

     

  • Uneasy calm over killing of Islamic cleric

    There was an uneasy calm in Zaria Sunday following the killing on Saturday night of prominent Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Mohammed Auwal Albany, his wife and child by unknown gunmen.
    Kaduna state governor, Mukthar Ramalan Yero described the killing as gruesome saying the killing was an indication that despite the improvement in security of lives and property in the state, more still needs to be done to rid the state of evil doers.
    The gunmen were said to have followed the Islamic scholar from his Salafiya Islamic centre at about 9.00pm and ambushed him at the Gaskiya area of Zaria, about half a kilomtre to his house, leaving four others, including two of his children serious injured.
    One of Albany’s students who identified himself as Sahabi Musa, told journalists that the assailants had trailed Albany from his centre in a Volkswagon Golf car while others were on a motorcycle and opened fire on him and his family members when they were approaching their home.
    He said “Malam was reciting the Kalimat Shahada repeatedly before he gave up, we are so happy about that and pray to Almighty Allah to forgive his sins and reward him with paradise. They opened fire on them and ran away. This is reminiscent of how Sheik Jafar Adam was killed in Kano. The killers trailed him from his school where he had earlier given lectures on the religion of Islam.”
    Reacting to the development, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero expressed shock and deep sadness over the gruesome killing, describing it as ‘satanic and wicked.’
    Yero said “the killing of Sheikh Albani is an indication that despite the improvement in security of lives and property in the State, more still needs to be done to rid our State of evil doers, who are bent on creating tension in our communities.”
    In a statement signed by his Director General, Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki, the governor said the government has already ordered investigation into the killing and assured the people that no stone shall be left unturned in unravelling those behind the dastardly act.
    He described the late Islamic preacher as a man “who always stood on the part of truth in accordance with the teaching of the holy Qur’arn and the Sunnah of the holy Prophet (PBUH). He was known for imparting education on the younger generation, a practice which he upheld until he met his untimely death in the hands of evil men, who take pleasure in killing innocent people.
    “At this difficult and sad time, our hearts and prayers are with the family of the late Albani. We urge members of his family to take solace as Muslims in the belief that we are all from Allah and to Him, we must all return.”
    While praying for the repose of the soul of the preacher, the governor called on his followers to remain calm and law abiding as Government is committed to bringing the perpetrators of the killing to justice.

     

  • A loving cleric goes home

    The remains of Rev Ebenezer Akintububo, father of the Publisher of Oceanicnews, Jide Akintububo, have been interred in Ondo Town, Ondo State. TAIWO ABIODUN reports.

    All Saint’s Anglican Church, Ogbonkowo, Ondo State was filled when politicians and family members came to pay their last respects to the late Reverend Ebenezer Olaniran Akintububo (a.k.a. E Maayo). He died at 87. His remains were interred at the church’s cemetery.

    The week-long ceremony started with traditional dance round Ondo town. The following day, the town was jam-packed – human and vehicular traffic competed with one another as the hearse conveying the body to the deceased’s residence.

    As the undertakers brought out the beautiful brown casket where the deceased’s name was engraved, the drummers beat their leather drums to high heavens, sang-praising his achievements. It was like a carnival of sorts for his children, family members and well-wishers of the late Akintububo.

    The men, with special coral beads on their necks and wrists danced round the town with the traditional cultural troupe. The traditional drummers almost tore the leather while the trumpeters blew their trumpets to high heavens as they sang his praises. The undertakers went into frenzy, displaying dancing skills. It took six hours to take the body home as the crowd was too heavy to control.

    During the wake, officiating clergymen Venerable G.A Fawole, Rev G.L. Lasebikan, among other officiating ministers, preached and prayed for the soul of the deceased.

    Ven Fawole said death is the ultimate end of everybody, imploring the siblings to love one another.

    The choristers also rendered sonorous songs as if angels were coming down!

    On Friday, the All Saints’ Anglican Church, Ogbokonwo, where the burial service took place was besieged by many.

    Many wept, especially the children who saw the casket being lowered in the grave.

    One of his children, Mrs Yemisi Akinnuoye, described her late father as a father in a million, saying: ” He was fond of telling me to remember whose ‘son’ I am. That has gone a long way in building my character”.

    Abayomi Emmanuel described death as inevitable. “It is a debt everybody must pay. Papa is resting in the bosom of the Lord,” he said.

    Mr. Olujide Olugbenga, Publisher of an Ondo-based Oceanic News, described his late father as an icon.

    “Trying to find words to describe him is difficult. He is a legend, iconoclastic and much more. All these words are not enough for me to describe him because he was more than that to me even though I never had the opportunity to relate with him during the last minutes of his departure,” he said.

    Mrs. Sola Akintububo said: “It is a natural phenomenon to die. It is highly unfortunate that Papa is gone. I will continue to remember all his words of advice while he was alive”.

  • Vote for candidates, not political parties – Cleric

    The Chief Imam of Akure, Alhaji Akeem Yayi Akorede has urged Nigerians to jettison the idea of voting for political parties in the 2015 general elections.

    Akorede said people should vote for only candidates who are credible and can protect the interest of their people instead of voting for parties.

    He said election based on adoption or imposition by any political party would be rejected, adding that, however, popular the party is, if it fails to present credible candidate, the party would lose the votes of the people.

    Akorede made this known while receiving the General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, Ebenezer Adeniyan and his team of Adeniyan Movement (AM) in Akure.

    Adeniyan, an aspirant who wants to represent the people of Akure South Constituency I in the state House of Assembly, had paid a courtesy visit on the Chief Imam to inform him about his ambition and to seek his support and prayers.

    Akorede, who expressed his willingness to identify with Adeniyan with a view to helping him realise his ambition, decried the position of Akure people under the present administration in the state, He urged young people of Akure to rise to the challenge.

    His words: “In the subsequent elections, we are no longer voting for political party. We are going to vote for credible candidates. We have constituted a committee of young Muslims who will ensure our firm position in the subsequent elections. We do not want to be cheated again.

    “Our preferred candidate for any position including the House of Assembly must be persons who have good names and who are responsible and credible. We will screen the person and certify that he really loves his people and is ready to develop the people and his community”.

    While Akorede offered special prayer for Adeniyan and his team, he expressed optimism that he would use the position to better the lot of the people if he gets elected.

    Speaking earlier, Adeniyan had told the Chief Imam that the visit was to seek his support and blessings as a community leader in Akure and to seek his prayers as a religious leader.

  • Stop celebrating corrupt leaders, cleric urges Nigerians

    A Muslim leader and member of the National Executive Committee of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, has urged Nigerians to stop celebrating corrupt and bad leaders.

    Unagha, who made the remark when Muslim religious leaders visited him in Warri, said respecting those whose greed and avarice put millions of Nigerians in poverty would only encourage them and others to continue in such evil ways.

    The Muslim cleric lamented that corruption and bad leadership have become endemic in Nigeria adding that they are growing very fast amongst the people who see it as normal.

    He therefore charged traditional rulers, religious and community leader to speak out against corruption, stressing that they should not remain silent

    Unaghai, who is a former Chairman of the Delta State Muslim Pilgrims Board, said leaders have divine roles to play in the day to day running of the affairs of the nation. He said they must not sit aloof and watch until the nation is brought to its knees by corrupt and bad leaders.

    The Muslim leaders particularly reminded the visiting Muslims that they are mirror others looked unto pointing out that they should be modest as ambassadors of Islam.

    He called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to restructure the anti-corruption organs, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corruption Practice Commission (ICPC) to meet the aspiration of Nigerians.

    He maintained that the two agencies have fallen short of Nigerians expectation stressing that they should be establish in both at the States and Local Government level.

    Also speaking, the leader of the delegation Alhaji Isa Onokeroraye, paised Unagha on his election.

    The Muslims particularly commended the Urhobos for giving him a seat in the highest Urhobo body in spite his religious background as a Muslim.

    He enjoined other ethnic nationalities to emulate the good gesture of the Urhobo people pointing out that it has portrayed the Urhobo as civilised and accommodating.

    Onokeroraye, however, urged Unagha to be loyal and submissive to the will of the people in the task of moving Urhobo forward.

    Highlight of the occasion was the former presentation of souvenir to Unagha.

    Among those who graced the occasion were Alhaji Wasiu Udi, Chairman of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Alhaji Jurbril Jenije, Chairman Jamaat Nastril Islam.