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Tag: forgiveness

  • Welfare, forgiveness, others dominate on May Day

    Welfare, forgiveness, others dominate on May Day

    The Ogun State government yesterday announced the pardon of three of the remaining four workers earlier dismissed for acts that were in flagrant disregard of the civil service rules.

    Announcing the pardon in his address at an elaborate ceremony to mark the May Day, Governor Ibikunle Amosun said: “The dismissed workers are pardoned, they will now proceed on retirement from the public service with full terminal benefits in accordance with the extant public service regulations.”
    Those affected by the pardon are Dare Ilekoya, Eniola Atiku and Nola Balogun.
    In arriving at this decision, the governor acknowledged the mediatory roles played by the national leadership of the labour unions, particularly the Comrade Michael Alogba-led Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT); the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and elders, such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and respected traditional rulers.
    The governor added that, “the pardon does not apply to Mr. Akeem Ambali because, unlike the other three, he had approached the law courts to challenge his dismissal from the civil service. While all parties await the outcome of litigation, as a responsible and law-abiding administration, we cannot be seen to have taken any action on a matter that is already before a court of competent jurisdiction. That will be subjudice and an affront to the independence of the other arm of government.”
    The governor reiterated that in the spirit of the May Day celebrations, the state government has also pardoned a section of the workforce that unlawfully stayed away from duty in the month of October 2016 and has therefore paid them for that month.
    A section of the workforce embarked on strike action in October 2016 and the state government evoked the ‘no work, no pay rule’ in response.
    The governor added that the state government, in its characteristic manner of always placing the interest of its workforce on the front burner, has ensured the payment of April 2017 salaries to all categories of workers before the end of the month.

    KogiStaff screening: Kogi offerssoft landing to erring workersFrom James Azania, Lokoja Over 2,000 Kogi civil servants found to have erred during the staff screening have been granted pardon by Governor Yahaya Bello.
    Bello extended the offer to 11 out of 44 various offences committed by some of the workers in the state.
    Addressing stakeholders yesterday at the Government House Lokoja, the governor said: “Truly, the screening exercise passed through a turbulent journey, but the state government was able to end the exercise and has achieved a wonderful and resounding result”.
    He said the decision of the government to pardon some of the workers who erred and could have otherwise faced outright dismissal from service, was to reassure the people of the state that the screening was not aimed at down sizing the work force or to witch hunt anybody.
    Bello disclosed that those who benefited from the pardon were 350 staff of the state government, who absented themselves from work for part time studies and the NYSC programme without approval, adding that the certificates obtained by the affected workers will not be recognised by the government.
    He noted that 771 civil servants erred in areas of disparity in their date of birth between the declaration of age, primary school certificate and West African School Certificate, stressing that they have been pardoned, but the earlier age used at the point of entry into civil service will be the accepted.
    According to him, “102 staff are affected by the use of non accredited certificates. This certificates are only required for proficiency and not for career provision, which is again against the service rules. They will be graded accordingly.
    “16 teachers are culpable of employment or secondment to miniseries, departments and agencies where their experience are not being utilized. This category, we offered them pardon but they should be transfered back to the classroom for efficiency”.
    Also to benefit from the amnesty, said Governor Bello, are 43 workers found wanting in improper the area of career advancement and promotions, as well as 103 staff who lack the requisite academic qualifications upon which staff promotion were premised.
    The governor disclosed that 325 workers of the state indulged in multiple statutory declaration of age, adding that the offence is punished by dismissal, but government has pardoned them, as their age at the point of entry into the service will be deemed.
    He added that 336 staff that have attained the mandatory age of 60 years, yet remained in the service, stressing that this category “supposed to be dismissed from service”, but however declaring that they were pardoned but that the funds they earned during the extra years will be deducted from their gratuity.
    He directed the Commissioner for Finance, the Accountant General, the Acting Head of Service and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to compute the financial implications of those granted amnesty and pay them before the end of the month.

    Bayelsa
    Dickson to workers: don’t
    be agents of destabilisation
    From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa
    Workers in Bayelsa State celebrated the May Day yesterday in low key with many of them boycotting the event.
    Their activities at the Peace Park, Yenagoa, the venue of the event, were, however, monitored by heavy presence of security operatives.
    The operatives comprising policemen, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Security Services (DSS) were combat-ready to forestall possible breakdown of law and order.
    It was learnt that the security personnel following fears that workers could go violent to protest unpaid salary arrears and alleged poor working condition in the state.
    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state threatened to commence a three-day warning strike Tuesday (today) if the government failed to pay their nine and half month salary arrears.
    Civil service unions were obviously unhappy when they marched past and saluted Governor Seriake Dickson, who was represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd).
    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in a joint statement lamented economic hardship of workers in the state following a backlog of salaries.
    The Chairman, NLC, Mr. Bipre John Ndiomu, the chairman of NLC, who read the joint address, urged the government to use the second tranche of the Paris Club disbursement by the Federal Government to settle all salary arrears.
    He said: “Congress call on government to note that payment of salaries is a frontline charge and should be given more consideration than any project.
    “Primary school teachers have suffered untold hardship since 2016 to date. Further neglect of the sector will hamper the good intentions of the government in the educational sub-sector as that is the bedrock of the foundation of quality education”.
    He listed other concerns of labour as non-payment of gratuities since 2013, weigh-in allowances of media workers, lack of attention and funding to the state-owned New Waves newspaper, deplorable state of infrastructure at the College of Health Technology in Otuogidi and the Jasper Isaac Boro College of Education in Sagbama.
    In his response, Jonah said the government was looking into all the demands of workers in the state.
    Also, the Bayelsa State government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, advised members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and other workers not to allow themselves to be used by the opposition to destabilise the polity.
    He said the opposition was trying to capitalise on the issue of salaries of primary school teachers to compel workers to revolt against the government.
    Obuebite said the present administration in the state held its workforce in high esteem, especially teachers, adding that, it would do everything within its powers to make life more meaningful for workers.
    But he regretted the present situation, where teachers and non teaching staff at the primary school level were not at par in salaries with other workers at the state level.

    Ondo
    Akeredolu to pririotise
    workers’ welfare
    From Damisi Ojo, Akure
    Ondo State Governor Olurotimi Akeredolu yesterday reiterated his determination to priortise the welfare of workers in the state.
    He saluted the courage of public servants in the State who, in spite of the economic downturn characterised by backlog of unpaid salaries still continue to carry out their legitimate duties.
    Akeredolu, who spoke at the May Day rally in Akure, the state capital, described the development as clear display of patriotism and resilience which has resulted in the achievements recorded by the state so far.
    According to him,“ all over the world, the worker is recognised as the most important factor of production and also considered as a veritable tool of government for impacting the citizenry and bringing about positive change and socio-economic development.”

    Osun
    Aregbesola to workers:
    you shall not labour in vain
    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday promised workers that their sacrifice and commitment to stability of the state would not be in vain.
    Aregbesola, in the statement by the Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the government was well-acquainted with the sacrifices they have made under the grueling economic condition the country is going through.
    According to him, government had at the inception taken care of workers’ welfare because of the its belief that it is through this and the cooperation of the workers that a virile state can be jointly built.
    The governor commended the workers for the resilience and understanding they have displayed with the government in this crucial times, saying his administration is “sentistive enough to recognise their contributions especially in the face of the economic crisis foisted on us certain modalities for the payment of salaries, pensions and other welfare packages.”
    He averred that the economic impasse the country and the world is going through affected the majority of the states’ capacity to fulfill some of their statutory responsibilities.
    He said: “We must express appreciation for the rare sensitivity of the umbrella body of the workers, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), in putting off this year’s celebration in our state as a mark of honour for the memory of the first civilan governor of the state, our own brother, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, who unfortunately and suddenly exited this world on Sunday April, 23, 2017.
    “The Labour Day has coincided with the state burial. The pains and pangs of his sudden death are still with us. May the peace of Allah be with him in his final abode of rest.
    “We remember with nostalgia, how this administration, at inception, showed ample commitment to the welfare of its workforce.
    “We could not have done less for we hold tenaciously to the belief that it is only through the commitment and cooperation of our workers that we can realise the very noble objectives for which we are here as government.
    “More than six years, we have no reason to doubt that our workers have been dependable partners in our development journey so far.”

    Rivers
    Wike assures civil servants
    of regular payment of salaries
    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has assured workers of the prompt payment of their salaries and emoluments.
    Addressing workers during the May Day celebration at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said that workers welfare would always be placed on the administration’s front burner.
    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Kobani, said: “In this period of economic difficulty, we remain committed to fulfilling all pledges made to our workers.
    “Let me reassure our workers that salaries and emoluments of workers will remain a top priority of my administration “.
    He stressed that issues of workers welfare are given priority by his administration because he believes that the workers are contributors to the development of the state.
    “I recognise the role of workers in the development of our state. They will always get benefits of working for the state “, Wike said.
    He informed them that there are plans to have a robust engagement with labour leaders to address requests presented by labour.
    Wike urged them to participate fully in the activities to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the state.
    The Chairman of the Rivers Council of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Beatrice Itubo, lauded Governor Wike for his regular payment of salaries and emoluments.
    She also commended r Wike for his execution of key projects across the state. The NLC chairman also pleaded with the governor to continue to prioritise workers welfare.
    Also speaking, the Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Austin Jonah, said that priority attention given to workers welfare should be sustained by the administration.

    Delta
    Okowa urges workers
    to join anti-graft war
    From Okungbowa
    Aiwerie, Asaba
    Delta Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has urged labour unions to join in the fight against corruption in the public service to entrench good governance.
    He said his administration was committed to a highly skilled, merit-driven and integrity-based public service.
    The governor who spoke yesterday in Asaba, Delta State at the annual May Day celebrations said apart from ensuring a public sector that is professionally-driven; his administration is committed to zero tolerance for corruption.
    He said: “As encapsulated in the Delta State Medium Term Development Plan, we are irrevocably committed to the creation of an effective, efficient, highly skilled, merit-driven and integrity-based public service.”
    Continuing, “Our goal is to build a public sector management driven by professionalism, projects performance and zero tolerance for corruption because, that is the only way we can entrench good governance in the polity and needless to say, we need the support and cooperation of the labour movement to make this goal a reality.”
    The governor commended Nigerian workers, especially, those in Delta State for their dedication to duty which have contributed in building Delta State from its inception in 1991, stating, “Through your belief, sacrifice and labour, we have made great progress as a state.”
    He, however observed, “as we gather here today, the Nigerian worker, like all other citizens, is confronted with economic adversity; more and more families are finding it harder and harder to stay afloat as the recession bites harder and inflationary trend continues; the current scenario poses a serious challenge to government and other employers of labour to keep workers motivated, happy and satisfied.”
    According to him, “Our administration has made the welfare of workers a top priority, while working to ensure better relations between the private sector and the government.”
    Okowa said: “It is in recognition of the unique role that workers play in delivering government policies and programmes that from the inception of this administration, we made the payment of workers’ salaries, the first line of charge.”
    He maintained that his administration from inception, has not tampered with allocations to local government councils in the state, and assured that, “when our economy improves, we will continue to assist the Councils because, it is unfortunate that our brothers and sisters in that tier of government are being owed salaries; for transparency, we included NUT and NULGE in our Joint Accounts Allocation Committee meetings,”
    Okowa assured Deltans that his administration would continue to create job opportunities despite the creation of more than 20, 000 jobs within two years of his administration.
    He urged workers in the state “to continuously uphold and strengthen the values of honesty, commitment, transparency, fiscal discipline, and excellence in service delivery” to enable his administration actualize its ambitious growth plans.
    The Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Michael Nwobodo, called on the Federal Government to step up actions in checking security challenges in the country, observing that despite recession ravaging the country, government has been consistent with the payment of salaries and staff emolument.
    The Chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade Jonathan Jemirieyigbe, thanked r Okowa for making himself available to the organised labour, asserting that the Governor has been very friendly to the organized labour.

    Imo
    Okorocha lifts embargo
    on promotion
    From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri
    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday announced to a cheering crowd of workers that the state government will lift the embargo on promotion as soon as it concludes the ongoing verification of workers.
    He said the state government would like to be furnished with the status of those to benefit from the promotion exercise.
    Okorocha, who spoke while addressing the workers in the State during the Workers’ Day celebration at the Hero’s Square, urged them to appreciate all his administration has done for the workers since 2011 when he assumed .
    He reminded the workers that they are the greatest beneficiaries of the free education programme in the State, noting that “there is no more pressure on the workers or on their salaries for the payment of School fees of their children and wards especially when the free education policy is from Primary to tertiary Institutions”.
    The governor also reminded the workers that he was the first to pay them N20,000 minimum wage against the approved N18,000 minimum wage.
    He also disclosed that in line with his vision to enhance capacity building for workers, the government is building ICT centres at the state secretariat and local government headquarters to enable them become Computer literate.
    Okorocha added that the government has concluded arrangement to recruit more than 3000 fresh graduates who are Computer literate into the Civil Service to make the System vibrant, regretting that more than 90 percent of the workers are not Computer literate.
    He assured that he would continue to dialogue with the leaders of the Labour Union in the State to ensure that the harmonious relationship his government enjoys with workers continues, adding that he would remain committed to the welfare of the workers in the State.
    In his speech at the event, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Austin Chilakpa, called for one hundred percent review of the agreement the Labour leaders had with the State government sometime ago over the payment of Salaries, stating that the Labour leaders would continue to demand that, until it is done.

    Abia
    Kudos for Ikpeazu over
    bailout funds, Paris refund
    From Ugochukwu
    Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia
    The Abia workers have commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for the judicious way he has handled the bailout funds and the Paris Club refund.
    The commendation was made by state chairman of the state council of the Nigeria Labour congress (NLC), Comrade Uchenna Obigwe and his Trade Union Council (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Christopher Okpara, on the occasion of the 2017 workers Day celebration in Umuahia.
    The workers also lauded the governor for the unprecedented level of infrastructural development being carried out by his government and urged him not to relent and ensure that it gets to all parts of the state.
    Ikpeazu thanked Abia workers for their support, hardwork and sacrifice which he said is responsible for the achievements he has recorded in office and implored them to partner his government to record greater accomplishments.

    ASUU laments poor
    conditions of facilities
    From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan
    The Chairman Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) University of Ibadan chapter, Dr Deji Omole, has lamented the poor condition of facilities prevailing in public universities in the country.
    He said there was nothing to celebrate going by the deplorable conditions of laboratories, and the suffering of lecturers in the public universities.
    The union urged the Federal Government to address the shortfall of personnel cost and other obligations in public universities.
    Dr Omole, in a statement in Ibadan, noted that the present administration has adopted “Maradona style” in meeting the agreements it signed with the union in 2009 and 2013.
    He accused the Federal government of playing politics with the retirement interest of university lecturers.

  • Moses: fortune, forgiveness and faith helped me to the top

    Moses: fortune, forgiveness and faith helped me to the top

    Victor Moses has a tattoo on his neck. It shows two pairs of dice, with angel wings. It has been a whirlwind few months for Chelsea’s 25-year-old Nigerian, who would have returned to the club for pre-season this summer, bracing himself for another loan spell after his time with Liverpool, Stoke and West Ham.

    Instead, he’s become a key member of Antonio Conte’s table-topping side, and is one of the Premier League’s most improved players.

    It’s a development that has surprised many, but not Moses himself. He knows better than most how quickly everything can change.

    “I’ve been a little bit frustrated, I’m not going to lie,” he admits when he meets us at a hotel near Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham, speaking in a low, quiet voice that still carries a trace of West Africa. Moses signed for the Blues in 2012, but despite helping them win the Europa League in that first season, he found it difficult to get into the team in the years that followed.

    The loan spells have taken their toll. “You spend about a month-plus in the hotel before you find your own place to stay – stuff there kind of plays in your head, and obviously the kids have to go to another place, go to school,” he says. “I’ve not actually had time to relax. When the season finishes, you have to move back to London again, and those kind of things play in a footballer’s head.”

    But everything changed with the arrival of Conte as manager.

    “Every manager is different,” says Moses. “He came in and he saw something, he knew he could work with me. During pre-season he came up to me and told me I was going to stay this season, that he didn’t want me to go anywhere on loan. That he believes in me. That gave me a boost, that gave me confidence to actually go out there and express myself more and work hard for it – to help him as well.”

    There’s a palpable contrast with Jose Mourinho, who gave Moses just eight minutes of action – a cameo appearance as a substitute in the Community Shield – before sending him out on loan. “I’m not here to criticise any manager,” he insists.

    “But I will say as a manager, if you have a player you feel is talented, it is important to give them a chance. Obviously, we have a new manager that came in, saw what I’ve got and he gave me the opportunity to go out there and express myself.”

    Moses has rewarded Conte’s faith in style. He has been a standout performer in Chelsea’s new 3-4-3 system, playing in an unfamiliar role as a right wing-back, but chipping in with goals – including the winner against Tottenham last month. “I’m definitely relishing it – the position that I’m playing at the moment – I’m really enjoying it,” says Moses.

    That is, of course, what every footballer in his position would say – but perhaps the real proof comes from his time playing FIFA. Moses is a regular participant in online clashes between the Chelsea squad on the game. Michy Batshuayi is the best, apparently. Moses plays as Chelsea. Not only does he switch the formation to Conte’s favoured set-up, but he puts himself in at wing-back, too.

    Moses won the PFA Fans’ Premier League Player of the Month award for November, a career first. There have even been rumours about a potential move to Barcelona as a long-term replacement for Dani Alves (who moved to Juventus this summer after eight seasons with the Catalan side) at right-back. But he has his sights firmly set on winning trophies with Chelsea.

    “I just want to keep on working hard,” he says. “There’s still a long way to go – we’ve still got a long season. I know we have a lot of quality players and I know we can play. We’re working hard together as a team – we just want to keep improving.”

    Moses missed out on the league title celebrations in 2014/15. He was out on loan at Stoke. However he is ready to give his all for the team.

    “I’m enjoying my football,” he says. “I’m at one of the best clubs in Europe, so hopefully there are still more games and trophies for me to win for the club in the future. It’s just about being given the opportunity.”

    He’s had help from all sides as he has adjusted to his new role. To his left, there’s Cesar Azpilicueta, who was unveiled on the same day as Moses in 2012, but has played almost four times as many games for Chelsea.

    “He understands it more than I do, so he’s constantly talking to me, making sure that I’m in the right place and that really helps me,” explains Moses. On the other side, there’s the always-vocal Conte – who made an impression right from the off.

    “I’m pleased to have him,” says Moses. “He is very passionate about the game. Obviously everyone’s seen him on the touchline. The way he reacts and stuff, we as players like it. It motivated us to actually do well and work hard for him.”

    For those on the wings, there’s a significant risk of permanent hearing damage. “He is constantly in my ears just to make sure I’m doing the right thing and in the right position,” says Moses, smiling.

    It was around this time of year, 14 years ago, when Moses first arrived in England. When he was 11, his parents – a Christian pastor and his wife – were murdered in religious rioting in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna, their hometown. More than 200 people died across three days of violence known as the ‘Miss World riots’.

    They were targeted because they had a church, and that meant their son was also a target. He went into hiding at a friend’s house, while relatives scraped together enough money to get him to England as an asylum seeker. Despite what happened, Moses still carries his parents’ faith.

    “That’s something that no one can take from me,” he says. “I’m still religious. I’m a Christian.”

    It’s tempting to join the dots, to link the childhood tragedy with the drive and determination required to make it as a footballer. But it’s not like that.

    “To be honest, what happened in the past happened is in the past,” says Moses, low and quiet. “So the way I look at things… I leave things. Whatever happened in the past, I leave it behind and just move on. What happens in the present is what counts. The past doesn’t count no more. You’ve just got to move on with life.”

    Moses could have easily ended up an England player, having represented them at every age-group level. In 2007, he even won the Golden Boot as the Three Lions made it to the final of the European Under-17 Championships.

    Instead, in 2013, he helped Nigeria win their first Africa Cup of Nations in 20 years, scoring twice along the way. Is it hard, we ask, representing Nigeria – pulling on the shirt of a country whose divisions cost him his family.

    “Whatever happens, happens,” he repeats. “There is nothing that I can do about it any more. And, as I’ve said, I’m a religious person. If God can forgive someone, so can I.”

    The orphan was placed with a foster family in Croydon – a Caribbean couple with whom he lived until the age of 17, and with whom he’s still in touch. “They’ve really played a big part in my career,” says Moses. “They’re the people who are always there for me, encouraging me to make sure I’m heading in the right direction. Sometimes when you go out on loan, you don’t feel quite right – but they’re always there, ringing on the phone, encouraging you.”

    Football also played an important role in helping him settle into his new home. He was capable of doing things with a ball that no one in the parks of south London had seen before. Moses was 13 when he got his first proper taste of organised football.

    “I was in the park, playing football with a couple of mates,” he remembers. “There was a team that was training, and the manager saw me from a distance and called me over.”

    The team was a Sunday league youth outfit called Cosmos 90 FC. Moses scored eight goals for them on his debut, from centre-half. He was quick, strong and flamboyant on the pitch. On one occasion, the mother of a goalkeeper who he had humiliated with a nutmeg and a chip in quick succession ran on to the pitch and started hitting him with her handbag.

    Word spread quickly, and soon a couple of hundred people would be turning up to watch him. “Crystal Palace must have heard about me,” says Moses. “They sent a scout to come and watch me; the scout came and said: ‘I want you to come to Palace for a trial.’ I went there, and the rest is history.”

    Palace pulled the strings for Moses to attend the prestigious Whitgift School in Croydon, and his exploits for their team made national news when he scored all five goals in the FA Youth Cup final against a school from Grimsby, whose red kit inspired the headline: ‘Holy Moses – Wonder Player Parts Red Sea’.

    Football was easy for him back then, an exhibition. Off the pitch he was insular, traumatised – at Palace they say he barely spoke for the first two years he was there. But on it, he was one of the best players they had ever seen, destined for bigger things, and a natural showman.

    He remembers trying to score from the byline in one game, “to try and do something different”.

    “The ball actually went in,” he explains. “Everyone else was thinking: ‘How did he do that? How did he do that?’”

    Finally, after years of frustration on the Chelsea fringes, or out on loan – that talent is being realised at the top level. His life has been shaped by tragedy, but not controlled by it. Instead, Moses is driven by fortune, forgiveness and faith.

    He has kept on rolling the dice.

  • Martins charges couples on forgiveness, love

    The Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, His Grace Alfred Martins, has appealed to couples to embrace mercy and forgiveness for homes to stands.

    He spoke at the 38th convention of the ladies of St Mulumba in Lagos last week.

    According to him: ’’There is no healthy marriage or healthy family without the exercise of forgiveness.

    “Forgiveness is vital to our emotional healthy and spiritual survival .Without forgiveness, the family becomes a theater of conflict and a bastion of grievances without forgiveness the family becomes sick.’’

    He charged ladies of St Mulumba to engage in serious deliberations leveraging on their experiences for relevant pastoral aids to young families struggling with different challenges.

    Speaking on the theme of the convention: The family: Altar of mercy, Martins pointed out recent challenges in families are not attributable to couples having quarrels and disagreements but inability to forgive or to be merciful.

    He said the consequences are the aggressive nature of the society, lack of mercy, love and compassion, church tribunals filled with petitions for divorce, separation and families being torn apart with children left broken and unattended to.

    He said as families go battle with economic realities, issues of fidelity and faithfulness, fertility, responsibly parenthood must take the front rows.

    The Lagos Metropolitan President of Ladies of St Mulumba ,Lady Monica Eigbe, said she was particular happy the theme bore semblance with the Pope Francis deception of 2016 as the ‘’year of Mercy ‘’.

    She stressed the needs for serious prayer for families, especially now that schools, particularly higher institutions, have become danger zones with negative influence youths.

    The Noble President Ladies of St Mulumba, Dame Pat Nwachukwu, emphasized how potent and relevant the theme is to today’s uncertainties, adversities and mysteries.

    In a paper presentation on the theme, Rev. Father Padre Umoh challenged all to reflect how we have being truly Christians from the context of our relationship in families.

  • A season of forgiveness?

    A season of forgiveness?

    The worry about the avalanche of calls for forgiveness by departing political office holders is that none of them has been able to put a finger on what wrong decisions they must have made. 

    “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  — John 1:9

    “Allah pardon you! Why did you excuse them until it was clear to you which of them were telling the truth and until you knew the liars?” – Surat At-Tawba, 43

    “But if anyone repents after his wrongdoing and puts things right, Allah will turn towards him” – Surat Al-Maida, 39

    If a politically literate person were visiting Nigeria for the first time in the last three or more weeks, he or she would have thought that the country was under a Truth and Reconciliation decree. In truth, what has been happening since General Buhari (now President Buhari won the 2015 presidential election) is that many of the country’s political office holders from the president down to governors have been asking for forgiveness from fellow Nigerians for whatever they did or did not do while in office. And the calls for forgiveness were made without anyone plucking the courage to identify anything that each of them believed he had done wrong.

    From their pedigrees, each of those calling for forgiveness for themselves or groups they identify with emotionally appears to be Muslim or Christian. As the quotations overleaf indicate, each of the two major globe-wide religions insists that truth about mistakes made must precede plea for forgiveness. In Catholicism in particular, nobody asks for forgiveness until he or she has given full disclosure in a confession ritual of what he or she had done wrong. The worry about the avalanche of calls for forgiveness by departing political office holders is that none of them has been able to put a finger on what wrong decisions they must have made. Some of the political leaders in their valedictory ceremonies even felt emboldened to leave blueprints to be implemented for those succeeding them, regardless of the fact that their regime was replaced on account of its anti-citizen governance style.

    Despite periodic show of bravado by PDP leaders who called on President Buhari to focus on implementing his election manifesto, the trail of demand for forgiveness was blazed by the outgoing President himself. He and his wife pleaded with Nigerians to pardon them for whatever they must have done in the discharge of their official duties to offend anyone. As if it was not good enough that President Jonathan had graciously accepted electoral defeat and, in the process, according to General Buhari changed the course of Nigeria’s history, President Jonathan expressed fear of being ‘persecuted’ along with his aides and pleaded that should anyone desire to probe his administration, that person should not forget such other leaders as Yakubu Gowon, Shehu Shagari, Ibrahim Babangida, Ernest Shonekan, AbdusalamAbubakar, and Olusegun Obasanjo. This was an indirect way of saying that if all these former leaders had been forgiven so far for whatever they did or failed to do, his plea for forgiveness has no reason to fall on deaf ears. He pleaded that he not be scapegoated at the risk of opening a Pandora’s box that is better kept closed. (This was weeks before the allegation by EFCC that billions of dollars meant for fighting Boko Haram had disappeared into the pockets of individuals and companies not connected to arms production and sale).

    Even the outgoing Vice President,Namadi Sambo, did not want to be left out of the ceremony of asking for forgiveness from citizens. He and his wife spoke passionately about how they believed that they must have offended some people in the way they performed their duties. (This was long before the allegation that N20 million monthly stipend was paid to his office from the fund for military equipment to fight Boko Haram).Similarly at the state level, many governors did not want to be left out of the ritual of calling for forgiveness. For example, the outgoing governor of Benue State was the most vocal of such governors. In his own case, Gabriel Suswam was specific about those whose forgiveness he would need. The lapse he boldly acknowledged was his inability to pay the state’s civil servants their salaries for months. And his reason for this was the nation-wide economic challenges facing Nigeria as a whole after the plunge in oil price. Despite this challenge, he was able to donate some vehicles to his successor, to ease transportation during the period of transition. Some would wonder why Suswam would need to apologise for problems beyond his control.(Suswam’s profuse apology came before his invitation to appear before the nosy EFCC). But Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State was the most specific about who should forgive him. He called on the accountant-general of his state not to abandon him on the eve of his departure from office and not to fail to tell him whatever lapse he (Uduaghan) might have made, a subtle way to ask for forgiveness.

    In the context of Nigeria, calls by outgoing political office holders for forgiveness and understanding at the end of their tenure are not totally unexpected. It should be expected that those looking forward to come back to power and plum of office in 2019 would need to be in good terms with most of their supporters on their way to what they see only as leave of absence from political office. Correspondingly, those who do not share the optimism of their party leaders about 2019 may need to talk right while they wait for soft landing or mercy from the regime that had promised before election to set Nigeria right.

    In the last few days in particular, a new love for plea bargaining has entered the country’s public conversation. After the revelations about what is now named in the media as Dasukigate, traditional and social media have been clogged by calls for plea bargaining, corruption amnesty, and truth and reconciliation, where such intervention is expected to replace traditional investigation, prosecution, and punishment of individuals accused of wrongdoing. It has also been reported that there are moves by ethnic and regional leaders to plead with President Buhari to use the route of corruption amnesty, instead of insisting on the crime and punishment approach.

    When this article first appeared in this column two weeks after the inauguration of President Buhari, the writer urged President Buhari to have a multipronged approach to the fight against corruption. Corruption amnesty that allows for plea bargaining was one of the major approaches suggested, in addition to the traditional crime and punishment approach, and a restructuring that could make corruption less easy and attractive than it has been in our free-for-all governance system. Instructively, President Buhari himself announced recently that his government has been recovering stolen money from political office holders and public servants, adding that he would, at a more auspicious time, release detailed information about those who returned their loot and how much they had returned. Those calling now for plea bargaining or corruption amnesty with respect to allegation of diversion of money meant for procurement of military equipment to personal gifts need not worry about those who have already pleaded not guilty. Amnesty is in logical terms not for those who are not guilty; it is for those who accept responsibility for what they have done wrong and then plead for special mercy.

    Ethnic or regional leaders should thus allow President Buhari to follow the two options he has chosen for fighting corruption: investigation/prosecution and corruption amnesty. In the context of today’s Nigeria, nobody should be obsessed that his kinsman or woman has been accused of corruption. The average Nigerian knows that this is a social cancer that cuts across ethnic and religious lines. To turn allegation of corruption into a regional or political issue is to trivialise the role of corruption in the destruction of nation-enhancing values pivotal to underdevelopment of the polity, economy, and society.

  • Cleric urges Muslims on forgiveness

    A Kaduna-based Islamic Scholar, Malam Muhammad Nafi’u, yesterday advised Muslims to imbibe the culture of forgiveness and spirit of love.

    Nafi’u, the Chief Imam of Nupe Central Mosque, Kaduna, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said: “Allah that created us forgives our sins. Therefore, mankind should also have the spirit of love and forgiveness. Forgiveness breeds mutual respect and in turn, leads to development, peace and stability in the society.

    “On the other hand, hatred, which is against the true teaching of Islam, leads to destruction, and set back to the society.

    ‘‘So, it is obligatory on Muslims to have the spirit of forgiveness to earn Allah’s blessings and rewards.’’

    Nafi’u urged the Muslim to pray for the restoration of the nation, noting that with prayers Allah will turn “our situation around’’.

     

  • Our season of forgiveness?

    Our season of forgiveness?

    “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” — John 1:9
    “Allah pardon you! Why did you excuse them until it was clear to you which of them were telling the truth and until you knew the liars?” – Surat At-Tawba, 43
    “But if anyone repents after his wrongdoing and puts things right, Allah will turn towards him” – Surat Al-Maida, 39

    If a politically literate person were visiting Nigeria for the first time in the last three or more weeks, he or she would have thought that the country was under the decree of a Truth and Reconciliation commission. In truth, what has been going since General Buhari (now President Buhari won the 2015 presidential election) is that many of the country’s political office holders from the president down to governors have been asking for forgiveness from fellow Nigerians for whatever they did or did not do while in office. And the calls for forgiveness were made without anyone plucking the courage to identify anything that each of them believed he had done wrong.

    From their pedigrees, each of those calling for forgiveness for themselves or groups they identify with emotionally appears to be Muslim or Christian. As the quotations overleaf indicate, each of the two major globe-wide religions insists that truth about mistakes made must precede plea for forgiveness. In Catholicism in particular, nobody asks for forgiveness until he or she has given full disclosure in a confession ritual of what he or she had done wrong. The worry about the avalanche of calls for forgiveness by departing political office holders is that none of them has been able to put a finger on what wrong decisions must have been made. Some of the political leaders in their valedictory ceremonies even felt emboldened to leave blueprints to be implemented for those succeeding them, regardless of the fact that their regime was replaced on account of its governance style.

    The trail of demand for forgiveness was blazed by the outgoing President himself. He and his wife pleaded with Nigerians to pardon them for whatever they must have done in the discharge of their official duties to offend anyone. As if it was not good enough that President Jonathan had graciously accepted electoral defeat and, in the process, according to General Buhari changed the course of Nigeria’s history, the outgoing president expressed fear of being ‘persecuted’ along with his aides and pleaded that should anyone desire to probe his administration, that person should not forget such other leaders as Yakubu Gowon, ShehuShagari, Ibrahim Babangida, Ernest Shonekan, AbdusalamAbubakar, and Olusegun Obasanjo. This was an indirect way of saying that if all these former leaders had been forgiven so far for whatever they did or failed to do, his plea for forgiveness has no reason to fall on deaf ears, as opening the Pandora box would be too risky for the country’s stability.

    Even the outgoing Vice President,Namadi Sambo, did not want to be left out of the ceremony of asking for forgiveness from citizens. He and his wife also spoke passionately about how they believed that they must have offended some people in the way they performed their duties. Similarly at the state level, many governors do not want to be left out of the ritual of calling for forgiveness. For example, the outgoing governor of Benue State is the most vocal of such governors. In his own case, Gabriel Suswan was specific about those whose forgiveness he needs. It is his civil servants and the lapse he has acknowledged is his inability to pay the state’s civil servants their salaries for months. And his reason for this is the nation-wide economic challenges facing Nigeria as a whole. Despite this challenge, he was able to donate some vehicles for his successor, to ease transportation during the period of transition. Some would wonder why Suswan would need to apologize for problems beyond his control. But Governor EmmanuelUduaghan of Delta State is the most specific about who needs to forgive him. He is calling on the accountant-general of his state not to abandon him on the eve of his departure from office and not to fail to tell him whatever lapse he (Uduaghan) might have made, a more subtle way to ask for forgiveness.

    While in the context of Nigeria, calls by outgoing political office holders for forgiveness and understanding at the end of their tenure is not totally unexpected. It should be expected that those looking forward to come back to power in 2019 would need to be in good terms with most of their supporters on their way to what they see as going on sabbatical from political office. Correspondingly, those who do not share the optimism of their party leaders about 2019 may need to talk right while they wait for the next job or contract. It is the call for forgiveness for Boko Haram by senior political, cultural, judicial, and military leaders that sounds rather unusual.

    Many powerful leaders from the North and a few from the Southwest who attended a conference organized by Professor Ibrahim Gambari’s Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy, and Development (SCDDD) rose from a conference in Abuja with a communique that called on the new President to grant general amnesty to the men who had killed thousands of innocent Nigerians in churches, mosques, markets, and motor parks. It is hard to miss the voices at the conference: the country’s leading international diplomat, Gambari, former Chief Justice of the federation, Mohammed Uwais, one-time secretary to the federal government under President UmaruYar’Adua, BabaganaKingibe, the outgoing National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, retired MajorGeneral Ishola Williams, and many other individuals with name recognition in the country.

    All of these are known patriots. It is thus hard to ignore whatever they say in respect of an organization that had almost torn the country apart. No doubt, the call of these gentlemen for forgiveness is different from those of those vacating power in that the call from SCDDD sounds altruistic. However, it is amazing that such calls are coming at a time when nobody seems to be sure what the motive and agenda of the faces behind Boko Haram are. It is also not clear how much study or research those pleading for immediate amnesty for Boko Haram members have conducted on the terrorist group and its activities. Most Nigerians need to know if Boko Haram members have qualified in their killing and maiming of innocent Nigerians for the status of political criminals.

    There was a time President Jonathan used to harp on the fact that Boko Haram was designed to make him fail as president by making the country ungovernable for him. Not many people believed him. Many thought he was looking for excuses for not wanting to leave office. Others countered by saying that Boko Haram came about because of decades of underdevelopment in the North. Is Boko Haram now being considered by the SCDDD as being similar to Niger Delta militants who carried guns in order to press home their demands for economic justice or what they call their own share of petroleum money? Is the Savannah Centre convinced that underdevelopment in the North had created a sufficient condition for what Dr. Junaid Mohammed rightly called crime against humanity? Is it not a little hasty to ask the new president to grant wholesale pardon to an organization that had pushed Nigeria into hiring mercenaries from South Africa and begging other countries to fund neighboring countries to assist Nigeria to fight? Is a terrorist group that has publicly affiliated with ISIS one to be given unsolicited amnesty?

    Just like departing political office holders asking for personal forgiveness, so would organizations like the Savannah Centre need to engage in truth finding before pleading for acts of forgiveness. It is always better when full disclosure necessitates or justifies forgiveness than when pardon is offered before the causes and effects of wrongdoing are identified.

  • Sambo, wife seek forgiveness

    Sambo, wife seek forgiveness

    Vice President Namadi Sambo and his wife, Amina, yesterday urged those they offended to forgive them.

    The vice-president, who spoke to reporters shortly after a valedictory meeting with his supporting members of staff at Aguda House, Abuja, said he had forgiven all those he had interacted with in the last five years.

    According to him, he has enjoyed good and cordial working relationship with all his supporting members of staff.

    “Whether in government or outside government, we will continue to contribute towards the development of the country.

    “And also, we have enjoyed working together and we have become one family with our staff and we assure them that we shall always be there for them.

    “Also, we pray that all those that we have offended during this period, we beg for their forgiveness and we forgive all those that have done anything wrong to us.’’

    Sambo thanked the workers for their support and cooperation and urged them to extend the same to the incoming administration.

    His wife said the Sambo’s family would forever remain grateful for the support, encouragement and prayers they enjoyed from the staff.

    The farewell meeting was attended by all the supporting staff, including Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants to the vice-president and his wife.

     

  • Dealing with forgiveness in relationship

    Good day Harriet, Please, I want to learn how to forgive people because my problem is that I really don’t know how to forgive. This was a big problem in my previous relationship which I regret daily. I hope for another chance. Because of this, I will like you to throw more light on the issue of forgiveness. I need it seriously.

    Kingsley  A., Port-Harcourt.

     

    In some ways people have wronged us or we have wronged people, either through words or actions. Forgiveness is when the person that is hurt has decided to let go after an apology has been made. It is a personal decision to let go the pain caused by the action. Forgiveness makes you feel relief. It’s like a heavy weight has been lifted off your heart. Don’t forget when you bear grudges, you are actually the person that is putting his health in danger. Therefore, when you forgive, you are helping yourself. It makes way for kindness and compassion. It reduces anxiety, stress and hostility. It helps to reduce the intake of alcohol and abusive substances to ease off the pain, hurt or situation. Forgiving the person does not make the offence right or that you accept the wrong action. It is a way of peace with yourself and the person.

    How to forgive and let go: Sometimes, we find it difficult to let go, despite the fact that we claim to have forgiven our offender. Like some people will say: ‘I can forgive but I cannot forget’. To forget what was said or the action that was carried out or pretend that it never happened is not true because the word or action indeed took place. To let go which is regarded as forgetting, the following steps should be put into consideration: Talk about how the word or action has affected you. It could be your friend, your family member, your worker and so on. Make your message clear; pour out your emotion freely.

    Avoid violence because it is not the best way of resolving issue. Don’t be in denial. Tell the person your pain, bitterness and resentment. On the other hand, if writing them down will make you feel better, why not. The main issue here is that you need to let it out from your mind, so that you can get rid of the whole issue faster and move on. Because the sooner you forgive and let go, the better for you as a person. As a matter of fact, think right, speak right and act right;

    Think right: Changing your perspective about the person is very important.  Release the person from your heart, let go off the part of you that hates the other person or wishes him or her harm, dead or failure because if you keep holding on to these negative feelings, then it will affect your own life and make it hard for you to find happiness. Remember nobody is allowed to make you unhappy unless you allow it.

    Speak right: Discuss your hurt or pain freely. Let the person know how much pain their actions or words have caused you. Some people might not realize their offences until they are told. We differ in our personality, so when we say speak right, it simply means talk about the matter, iron things out freely, accept apology and let go. Don’t talk about the issue again since you have forgiven the person.

    Act right: Let your action shows that you have forgiven. When you see the person, try to be normal, agree it might not be the same immediately, depending on the offence, but let’s face it, you have decided to forgive the person, so to let go, show kindness to the person. Your action in the long run is what tells if you have actually “let go”. There’s a popular saying that “action speaks louder than words”. Make the person feel welcome. Don’t bring up the issue again, even when the person out of guilty is working hard to gain your trust again. Try not to make reference to the past. Kindly discourage and reassure the person that the issue is bygone. However, focus on the goals you want to meet in future that will improve your life instead of spending energy and time worrying over how somebody has wronged you. Continue to work on yourself. Improve those things you want to work on and see how much better you feel as you become a more caring, compassionate, well-rounded person. You have made a choice to forgive and forget. You should be proud of yourself for taking such a step not minding whether the person deserves it or not. The truth is that some people cannot change no matter what you say or do, simply because of their mindset. There are people who have certain ways of doing things, not putting others into consideration. So the only way to forgive such people when they  hurt you is to learn to understand and tolerate them.

    On the other hand, if you decide to hold a grudge, the effect is that you might pay the price repeatedly without knowing it by bringing bitterness and anger into every relationship and new experience you encounter because of your action. In some cases, your life might become so wrapped up in the wrong that you cannot enjoy the present which can affect your health. As Ann Landers said: “Hate is like an acid. It damages the vessel in which it is stored and destroys the vessel on which it is poured”.  Forgive and let go so that you can move on with your life. It gives you a clear understanding of different personalities, appreciating people strength and weaknesses.

     

    Harriet ogbobine is a counselor and a motivational speaker. Send your questions and suggestions to her on bineharriet@gmail.com or txt message only 08023058805. You can also follow her on twitter: @bineharrietj

  • Akpabio calls for love, forgiveness among Nigerians

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerians to allow the life and teachings of Jesus Christ to inspire them in striving for a world knit together by love and driven by justice.

    The governor also urged Nigerians to pray for the repose of the souls of the children who were murdered by insurgents and the safety and quick recovery of abducted children.

    Akpabio spoke yesterday in Uyo, state capital, in his Easter message broadcast on radio and television stations.

    He said: “Let us spare a moment during the celebrations to pray for our dear country so that God will help us to overcome the current security challenges.

    “The death of Jesus Christ stands out as a perfect example of unconditional love. Let us, therefore, give unconditional love to all of God’s children in Akwa Ibom State and key into the spirit of this season by sharing gifts with our neighbours and the less-privileged.

    “As blessed people, let us take our destiny in our own hands and take decisions today that our posterity will be proud of. Let us, by our decision today, build bridges to include all our brothers and sisters in the Akwa Ibom project, and that way lay a solid moral foundation for our future generation.

    “Easter is a time to reflect on Christ’s suffering and ultimate victory. It is a time to recollect how the anguish of the cross gave way to the triumph of resurrection. It is a time to remember that by his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ gave us victory over death, and liberated us from its fear.”

  • Oba Tejuosho urges forgiveness

    The Osile of Oke-Ona in Egbaland, Oba Dr. Adedapo Tejuoso, has tasked traditional rulers on forgiveness.

    He made this known at a programme tagged ‘Kings Day of Praise’ which held recently at Abeokuta.

    Oba Tejuoso who was the convener of the ceremony, stated that traditional rulers should be inspired on the message of forgiveness for their subjects, including those who supported them and those who did not.

    The monarch who described forgiveness as a therapy in the life of a believer who wants to make heaven also reminded all that traditional rulers need God’s guidance concerning family members and their subjects while also emphasizing that true joy and hope comes from God’s word.

    Bishop Kayode Williams who was also present at the occasion praised the initiative saying that it will serve a means of spiritual enlightenment.