From Ene Asuquo,Calabar

Methodist Church of Nigeria, Calabar, Synod  has charged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to enhance the capacity of police personnel to effectively address the rising wave of ritual killings and insecurity  challenge troubling the the country.

They called on government at all levels to galvanize state apparatus to stem the tide of unabated shedding of innocent blood through wanton killings, vandalization and plundering of national assets.

The Synod noted with dismay the return of paganism, and  alarming rate of sacrifices of  innocent persons in different parts of the nation for money making purposes by evil individuals in the country.

 Chairman, 3rd Annual Synod, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Atamunu Calabar, Rt. Rev. Otuekong Ukut Ph.D, gave the charge while commenting on the state of the nation in Calabar yesterday.

He decried that  innocent persons had been murdered and sacrifice for  money ritual purposes to wicked gods for with the perpetrators of this dastardly act deceiving themselves that they will make wealth  wealth and riches from organ harvesting  and trafficking. 

Clauses from the 10-point  communiqué issued by  the Synod signed by the  chairman Rt. Rev Bishop Otuekong Ukut Ph.D, Synod Secretary, Very Rev. Anthony Essien and Lay president Sir Dr. Gabriel Inyang, called for quick strengthening of the capacity of  law enforcement agents  to enhance investigation, prosecution of  ritual killers.

The Synod urged authority of the Nigeria police to  improve the knowledge of its personnel, concentrate more on intelligence gathering to identify and disrupt ritual killing networks.

The clerics  urged president Tinubu to address underlying issues that includes implementation of policies that will reduce  poverty, inequality as well as establish social safety nets to support vulnerable people.

The Synod, admonished churches and Christians to wake up in prayer, be vigilant, so more evangelical to win souls to Christ and bring repentance to these perpetrators.

Other issues which the Synod wants federal government to addressed include, Inter-religious relationship, ecclesiastic matters, restructuring of the nation, state of the economy, reform of Judiciary, state of Cross River, rehabilitation of Calabar Itu road among others.

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President Bola Tinubu has urged Christian and Muslim faithful to embrace love and trust, saying these values are essential for building a cohesive and united society.

Tinubu made the appeal at the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) meeting held on Wednesday in Owerri, Imo.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr George Akume, Tinubu stressed that without trust, noble intentions risk being misunderstood and distorted.

He added that trust can help Nigeria overcome deep divisions, resolve complex conflicts, and pave the way for national consensus and lasting greatness.

Tinubu acknowledged NIREC’s vital role in bringing together leaders of the two major religions to promote peace and moral guidance among their followers.

He praised the council’s efforts, calling them a beacon of hope and a moral compass guiding national unity and harmony.

The President also thanked Gov. Hope Uzodimma for hosting the meeting and commended the peaceful and welcoming atmosphere in the state.

He described the meeting’s theme, ‘Building Mutual Trust and National Unity,’ as timely, relevant and particularly fitting for the country’s current challenges.

Meanwhile, Uzodimma thanked NIREC for selecting Imo to host the conference and lauded their mission of fostering inter-religious understanding and unity.

He urged religious leaders to remain steadfast in promoting a Nigeria built on peace, love, and mutual trust as foundations of national pride.

The governor also praised the dedication of NIREC’s co-chairmen, Sultan Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar and Archbishop Daniel Okoh, for their patriotic leadership.

Uzodimma noted that NIREC’s initiatives had helped reduce religious conflicts and improve understanding between diverse faith communities across Nigeria.

He cautioned that religion must never be misused as a tool for division, but rather as a unifier in society.

He urged Nigerians to look beyond stereotypes and embrace each other’s humanity, highlighting unity as key to national development.

Religious leaders were encouraged to use their influence to promote love, tolerance, respect, and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of all faiths.

Uzodimma also advised clerics to speak out against violence, crime, terrorism, and other forms of insecurity affecting the country.

Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua, NIREC Secretary, said the council believes the negative narratives around religion and ethnicity can be positively transformed.

He lamented that diversity, which should enrich Nigeria, has often been manipulated to pit people against each other as adversaries.

Omonokhua called for educational reforms that preserve truthful teachings of religion and history, fostering unity and Godly fear among students.

In separate remarks, co-chairmen Abubakar and Okoh urged Nigerians to show sincere commitment to peacebuilding and national progress.

They warned against ethnic and religious profiling, calling for love, unity, and prayers for wise and effective leadership.

Mr Fidelis Chukwu, former Ohanaeze Ndigbo chairman, and Alh. Alatare Musa presented insightful papers at the conference.

The event’s highlight was the inauguration of NIREC members from the five states in the South-East geo-political zone.

By Abiodun Lawal

Lufuwape (Ogun), April 27, 2025 The Nigerian Baptist Convention says individual’s closeness to God remained the greatest factor in addressing various challenges.

President of the convention, Rev. Israel Akanji, stated this at a Sunday Service held at the Baptist International Convention Centre in Lufuwape, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Baptist’s 112th Annual Convention kicked off on Saturday to end on May 1.

NAN reports that the theme of the convention is: “Entering into Newness through Fasting and Prayer”.

Akanji who took his sermon from the book of Luke 8 vs 1 to 8 , noted that prayers remained an act of faith and called on Nigerians to focus on God who solves problems rather than the problems.

He said it was important to believe in possibilities and have the conviction that only God answers prayers.

The Baptist President cited example of a widow who was not afraid, annoyed or ashamed of her challenges but kept moving until she overcame the challenges with her closeness to God.

“We should run away from factors that will make us sin against God, we should love one another. We should not allow our adversaries to make us a failure.

“We should focus on God who solves problems. Keep making attempt on your goal, don’t give up , then believe in possibilities,” he said.

Akanji emphasised that the Baptist as a movement, was entering into newness through fasting and prayer as a vehicle to be able to experience newness in their lives and the country.