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Tag: departed

  • Bishop launches campaign to bring back ‘departed’ Anglican

    The new Bishop of Diocese of Ekiti West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Rt. Rev. Rufus Adepoju, has launched a campaign to bring back members who left for Pentecostal churches and other denominations.

    Adepoju disclosed this while delivering his maiden sermon shortly after enthronement as bishop at the Cathedral

    Church of Christ Ijero-Ekiti, the seat of the diocese.

    He ministered on “God of our fathers” with texts taken from Psalm 48:14.

    Unfolding the policy thrust of his administration, Adepoju said bringing back the “departed Anglicans” is achievable if the clergy and the laity cooperate with him to make the dream a reality.

    The bishop explained that he would embark on open air crusades, evangelism and vigorous outreaches to achieve the target.

    He declared that Anglicans in the diocese who had left for other denominations “are on sabbatical and would soon come back when they see the demonstration of God.”

    Adepoju said: “We are not going to compromise on the vision and mission of the Diocese of Ekiti West.

    “Our slogan has now changed to ‘With God, All Things Are Possible’ and the focus will now be on massive and vigorous evangelism.

    “If you are a member of the Anglican Communion, come back home, the door is open for you to come back because you are on a sabbatical there.

    “Evangelistic fellowship shall be introduced in Ekiti West Diocese through Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC).

    “We shall partner with the Bible Society of Nigeria, Anglican Youth Fellowship and Church Missionary Society. Everything that is biblical and evangelical shall be allowed.

    “From July 2, together with my priests, we shall embark on open air crusades, the type we did in Ilukuno some years back where they attacked me as a Reverend but I am going there now as a Bishop.”

    Speaking on the state of the nation, Adepoju stressed that the social, economic and political problems afflicting Nigeria are not beyond divine solutions.

    He urged Nigerians to put their trust in God and the political leaders to be sincere in the discharge of their duties.

    He said: “In this country, we need sincerity in leadership because we speak too much grammar in Nigeria.

    “We have many programmes and policies capable of changing this country but we have failed.

    “Let all of us be sincere in tackling our problems in Nigeria and there will be a way out.

    “If all Nigerians can trust God with our present predicament and problems, there will be solution.

    “No problem is greater than God our Creator; we should hang our problems on him and fear him because the Bible says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

    “That is the message of God to all Nigerians, they should fear not because it shall be well.”

  • Lagos Speaker eulogises departed APC chieftain

    Lagos Speaker eulogises departed APC chieftain

    The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has described the late Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Alhaji Abiodun Sunmola, as a true democrat, who gave every thing to ensure that poor Lagosians were happy.

    Obasa, who spoke during the Eighth day Fidau  prayers at the LTV Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Lagos, said Lagosians and the country would miss the politician’s contributions to the development of democracy.

    The speaker said the politician did not only work towards the growth of the APC, but was a rallying point during the last general elections. He added that Sunmola could not afford to see people suffering, but was ready to bring out all his resources for the benefit of the masses.

    He explained that the departed APC leader was a father to all, whose exemplary conduct was an inspiration to many politicians. He noted that his advice was always sought on many issues that could advance the progress of society.

    He said: “Baba was  of my father’s age, yet he had respect for everybody. I am sure those who came across him held him in high esteem. I think it is very difficult to have a politician of his humble stature. He provided answers to intrigues and matters were very critical.

    “He was sincere and kind; those who live around him can testify about his fatherly conduct. He never discriminated and was always willing to solve peoples problem, irrespective of the gravity.

    “Baba lived a life worthy of emulation and I want every one of us to emulate him, particularly his virtue of patience, tolerance, humility and honesty. The Lagos APC family will definitely miss him. On behalf of members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, we bid this great father goodbye.”

    Lagos APC stalwart, Alhaji Sakiru Seriki Bamu, described the politician as a reliable friend, who stood by him in thick and think. He said they had both traversed rough political terrains and he ensured that they were not carried away by petty political gain.

    He stressed that his late ally would consider public interest in every decision he took,  noting that the late Sunmola was a politician people could count on when the terrain became difficult.

    He said: “He was my friend and brother; the political journey for us has been of good experience. He was such a person who love his people and those from his constituency can testify to that.

    “We pray the Almighty Allah to grant him perfect rest and give his family and his political associates the fortitude to bear his transition.”

     

  • Akunyili: An Amazon has departed

    SIR: If tributes were all late Dora Akunyili needed to be brought back to life, she would have since returned to join her fellow delegates at the ongoing National Conference holding in Abuja. The barrage of amazing and well scripted tributes that have so far poured in since this amazon breath her last are indicative of the fact that humanity benefited immensely from her. Quite rare, Nigerians across various social media platforms all praised, hailed and spoke so well of Professor Akunyili. Nigerians from all walks of life; diverse backgrounds and different religious and ideological leanings have brought down the wall that hitherto kept them apart to honour and celebrate an amazon.

    Even in death, Dora remains a force to reckon with. Her rare and startling qualities as displayed both in her private and public activities are handy in grooming future leaders. God had blessed her with all she needed to be comfortable and remained quiet while she attends to family needs, late Dora chose to hit the streets to serve humanity. Unlike her contemporaries who restricted themselves to their respective cocoons and territories for individual reasons, Dora gave her all just to ensure that people live happily and comfortably.

    It will be pretty impossible to forget Dora in decades to come. Dora is like an avatar. People like her come once in every generation. I bless God for gifting Dora to Nigeria and humanity. Patriotism was her other name. Dora’s passion for Nigeria was outstanding. She wasn’t comfortable with the unfair and bad rating Nigeria gets at the world stage. Nigerians, in her estimation should be treated with tremendous respect and nothing less. She was optimistic and confident of the fact that Nigeria deserved much more than what her citizens were/are still according her. Her sermon was simple: for Nigeria to stand tall and firm in all spheres of human endeavours, Nigerians must be ready and willing to do the right thing, at the right time and for the right reasons.

    My hugest satisfaction is that she didn’t allow all the beautiful dreams she had die with her. She shaped, repositioned and improved humanity with her dreams and ideas. She wasn’t greedy. She exhausted all the good-tidings that God deposited in her before she transited to the celestial abode. That was vintage, iconic, pragmatic and exemplary Dora.

    Even ill health couldn’t stop her from taking part in serious national activities. Many expressed shock and disbelief the first time she appeared as delegate at the ongoing National Conference in Abuja. Nigeria has lost one of her leading lights. Her remarkable performances at NAFDAC bear eloquent testimony of the very stuff she had in her. Ma’am, you indeed lived for others. We pray God almighty to grant your sweet soul eternal rest soul.

    • Abdullahi Yunusa,

    Imane, Kogi State.

  • Lar, great elephant has departed the forest

    Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Publicity Secretary Mr. Gbenga Olawepo yesterday commiserated with the family and political associates of the late Chief Solomon Lar over his death.

    In a tribute he described the deceased politician as a democrat, crusader for equality and justice, patriot and emancipator.

    The tribute reads.

    I received the news of the transition to life of a democrat extraordinaire, crusader for equality and justice, outstanding patriot, Chief Daushep Lar with great shock. Indeed a great elephant has departed the forest.

    The Emancipator, Liberator, Baba Lar as fondly called by those of us whom he inspired will be missed for his courage, simplicity and generosity.

    At the darkest hour in the history of our country, at the zenith of the Gen Sani Abacha dictatorship, this great lion of the Middle Belt was the one assigned the task of delivering the letter to the late maximum ruler authored by the 12 northern leaders, a group now known as G-12 demanding the dictator to bury his self succession plan. Baba Lar hand-delivered the letter at a time when many democrats fled the country to escape the terror of that era.

    For those of us young men who networked for democracy in Abuja some few meters from the den of the dictator, Baba Lar was a source of inspiration. Together with his compatriot the late Abubakar Rimi, they led the Progressive group to navigate the dangerous ship of democracy that successfully berthed in 1999, with him emerging as the founding Chairman of the Ruling Party (PDP). I had the rare privileged of working closely with him.

    A time of Chief Lar’s departure, is an appropriate occasion to acknowledge and remember those with whom he shared the stage at that momentous time when our democracy was been painfully delivered, this include colossus like Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Chief Bola Ige and Senator Sunday Awoniyi and Rt. Hon. Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Chief S.M. Afolabi, Alhaji Iro Danmusa, Chief Harry Marshall; among others. It is also a time of roll call of the living heroes such as Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Dr. Iyoriha Ayu, Barrister Jerry Gana, and many more.

    Baba Lar was great in many aspects than one. He was generous to a fault. One who shared any gift and resources he ever received with hundreds of children of the downtrodden who surrounded him at all times. He was a peculiar Nigerian political leader who after stepping down as two term Governor of old Plateau State with unmatched accomplishment in the development of the state, having served as a Federal Minister, and Chairman of the ruling party controlling 24 states, died without having a personal house in Abuja in his name, or proxy.

    The spectacular sacrificial life style of this departed legend should serve as inspiration to higher service for those who aspire to lead our great country at a time like this. It should fire the spirit of selfless service amongst millions of young Nigerian seeking mentorship. While we mourn this irreparable loss, we also celebrate his life and the force that his example represents. Adieu, Wali Lantang, the wise one, Solomon Lar.

     

    •Olawepo is Chairman Oilworld Limited and founding Deputy National Publicity Secretary of PDP