NEWS
Bayelsa Gov Tasks Churches On Moral Rectitude
From Tayese Mike, Yenagoa
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has reiterated his call on the church to live up to its responsibility of preaching and practising morality in the interest of humanity.
He made the call at the weekend in Port Harcourt while speaking as a special guest of honour at the wedding ceremony of former Princess Ruth Zilly-Aggrey, daughter of the General Overseer of Royal House of Grace International Church.
The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, also enjoined Christian leaders in the country to brave all odds and speak truth to power with a view to reducing corruption and immorality in society.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Diri described the Church and government as partners in the building of a virile society.
According to the Governor, the country is currently tottering on a precarious situation that requires every well meaning Nigerian to play a role in salvaging it from its security, political and economic woes.
He therefore urged clergymen to be courageous as the Prophets in the Bible to hold the political class to account through their preaching and exemplary conduct.
Governor Diri congratulated the newly wed, Mr and Mrs Mark Tosan, urging the couple to make Independence and patience their watchword for them to succeed in marriage.
His words, “The tenure of control by your parents over you has expired today. So, the two of you should learn to live and enjoy the Independence you have won today. You are now consultant to each other. The day you get another consultant, know that you are only getting yourselves into trouble.
“What I’m saying is very clear in the Bible. When Eve decided to leave Adam, her husband, to go and consult Satan, she didn’t only invite trouble to her family but caused the fall of man. You must also be patient.
“Let me also use this opportunity to talk to the church again. In our country today, we are not in the best of times. So, we want the church to speak up at this point of our history.
“In the past, God asked Jeremiah, Moses, Isaiah and other prophets in the Bible to speak truth to power. We want you to do that with the fear of God in this country. Because the point at which the morality of the church goes below that of politicians, then that society is gone.
“So, the morality of the Church must always be above that of politicians so that those of us who are politicians can look up to your morality. But if it is the other way round, then it will be difficult to have a society that is just, fair and equitable.”
Drawing his sermon from Mark Chapter 3 verse 25, Reverend Ntia I. Ntia of the Full Life Gospel Centre, advised the couple and other marital partners to value their unity above everything else, stressing that no marriage can succeed in an atmosphere of division.
Reverend Ntia maintained that it was unity that enabled Abraham and Sarah in the Bible to overcome the seemingly insurmountable challenges that faced their marriage.
NEWS
Police Apprehend Suspect over Alleged Human Trafficking in C’ River
The Police Command in Cross River has apprehended one Victor Eyop, 35, for alleged trafficking of girls from Nigeria to Libya.
CP Gyogon Grimah, Cross River Commissioner of Police, confirmed this on Monday at a news conference in Calabar.
Grimah explained that on Nov. 9, one Mr Chidi Samuel, in Calabar, reported a case of human trafficking against the suspect.
He said that on that date, Samuel claimed that the suspect and his wife, Mrs Esther Eyop, allegedly recruited Ms Deborah Nyong, 25.
“They also recruited two others, Ms Anita Lawrence, 25, and Ms Mabel Tom, 16, for human trafficking to Libya after they were tested for the Human Immune Virus (HIV) and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs).
“After the test, the suspect took them to his house and the next day gave them a substance they were to mix in their bath water for cleansing before embarking on the journey.
“On Nov. 12, the suspect and his wife drove the girls to Bogobiri Street in Calabar, where they booked tickets and transported them to Kaduna with arrangements with one Hajiya (names unknown) to receive the girls in Kaduna,” he said.
The commissioner noted that while in Kaduna, a taxi driver was sent to pick up the girls and further transported them to Katsina. However, along the road to Katsina, the vehicle developed a fault.
Grimah said it was at this point that the victims realised that they were being trafficked, started contacting people for help and the complainant, Samuel, sent money to them through a Point of Sale (POS) operator along the road.
He said, with that money, they boarded a taxi back to Kaduna and found their way back to Calabar on Nov. 15.
Grimah said that court prosecution would begin the moment the investigation was concluded.
On his part, the suspect claimed that he did not know that what he did was an offense noting that he was only assisting people to travel out.
“I am not a travel agent, but my sister is in Libya, it is through her that the girls are being taken to Libya.
“The girls were aware of the plan from inception that they would be taken to Katsina and from where ‘Hajiya’ would direct them on how to get to Libya,” he narrated. (NAN)
NEWS
Adhering to Fiscal Discipline will Check Inflation- Economists
An economist, Prof. Bright Eregha, has urged the federal and state governments to adhere to fiscal discipline and support import substitution to combat rising inflation.
Eregha, who lectures at the Economics Department, Pan Atlantic University, expressed this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Monday.
He said that over the past year, the allocation of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) to various subnational governments had surged significantly due to economic reforms implemented by the government.
Eregha said that this increase in allocations had raised the money supply within the economy.
According to him, this can also lead to a rise in the current inflation rate if these funds are not channeled into productive sectors.
He stressed the necessity for the governments to invest in mechanised agriculture as a solution to the prevailing food insecurity.
“An increased budgetary allocation to mechanise our agriculture is essential to boost food production, irrespective of whether it is harvest season or not,” he stated.
Eregha argued that such investments would aid the country in achieving self-sufficiency in food production and help mitigate the food-induced inflation currently being experienced.
Also, Prof. Tunde Adeoye, Senior Lecturer, Economics Department, University of Lagos, advocated import substitution to curb the inflation rate.
He stated, “The government should adopt macroeconomic policies that will encourage indigenous companies to commence the production of some imported items locally and be patronised by our people.
“This will strengthen our local capacity and reduce our volume of imports over time, which is exerting too much pressure on our foreign exchange,” he explained.
According to Adeoye, the surge in inflation rate is more of a structural challenge within the general economy.
He said, “The situation has gone beyond the apex bank’s belief that raising interest rates alone will check the inflation rate.
“Our increase in inflation is more of an economic dislocation which is worsened by the government’s current economic reforms.”
He further emphasised the need for the government to be more innovative in addressing the security headwinds that negate food output in the country.
“The government addressing the herders-farmers disputes over the years in food belt states might ameliorate the situation,” Adeoye said.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s inflation rate increased to 34.6 per cent in November, up from 33.8 per cent in October.
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, released on Dec.16, highlights a 0.72 per cent rise in inflation within a month.
The NBS reported a significant year-on-year increase of 6.4 per cent, compared to the 28.2 per cent inflation rate recorded in November 2023.
On a month-on-month basis, inflation rose by 2.638 per cent in November, a marginal drop of 0.002 percentage points from October’s 2.64 per cent. (NAN)
NEWS
Abuja Stampede: CAN Mourns
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The National Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the weekend, said it is disturbed by the tragic events at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama on Saturday morning.This was contained in a statement issued by CAN signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and made available to journalists in Abuja.
.The statement reads in parts, “We have learned that at least ten people, including children, lost their lives in a stampede while trying to seek help from the church. ”This tragedy is not just statistics; it represents real families who are hurting. Each person lost was someone’s beloved family member. We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church and to the families affected by this terrible incident. We stand together with you in this time of sadness and prayer.”Many people arrived early, hoping to receive palliatives that would help them during tough times. What was meant to be a day of support turned into a disaster, leaving a heavy impact on all of us and reminding us how fragile life can be.”This incident is part of a troubling pattern, as Nigeria has experienced two other tragic stampedes this month. On December 18, during a Christmas funfair at a school in Ibadan, a stampede resulted in the deaths of 35 children, with six others critically injured. The event aimed to distribute cash and food to over 5,000 children. This tragic event is currently under investigation, focusing on better crowd control measures.”Just a few days later, another stampede occurred during a rice distribution event at a centre in Anambra State. Reports indicate that at least 22 people lost their lives, and 32 others were injured. These heartbreaking incidents highlight the challenges of managing large crowds during charitable events. “In the face of these tragedies, we recognise the importance of coming together to support those who are grieving. It is crucial that we listen to one another, share our feelings, and offer help in any way we can. This is a time for compassion and understanding as we help one another heal.”As we reflect on these devastating events, we invite all Nigerians to come together with kindness and understanding. Let us support one another and work towards creating a place where everyone feels safe and valued. The concern shown in response to this incident highlights our shared humanity.”Together, we can honour the memory of those we have lost by committing to a future filled with hope, where every life matters, and where we can gather in safety and peace, sharing in the abundance of food and support that we can provide for one another as a nation.”May those who have passed find eternal rest, and may God comfort all who are grieving”.