Connect with us

NEWS

Anglican Primate Commends Tinubu’s Efforts to Fix Nigeria

Published

on

Share

Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts toward fixing the country.

The Primate, in an address delivered to the second session of the 12th Synod organised by the Diocese of Abuja, identified the economy as one challenging area the President was striving to fix.

The synod had the theme: “By This Time Tomorrow: Breaking the Siege upon the Nation (2 Kings 7:1, 6-7)”.

It focused on breakthrough, deliverance, belief and strong faith in God

The Synod is the highest decision-making body of an Anglican Diocese. It is held every year with the Bishop presiding.

Synod of the Church of Nigeria is a platform for prayer, discussion of Church and national issues, decision-making, accountability, among others.

He said that the country’s economy was in a bad shape with the ordinary citizens feeling the pain on a daily basis.

He added that Tinubu needed strong recommendations from his Economic Policy Planners and Think-Tank in his drive to get Nigerians out of the current situation.

The Anglican Primate also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, for his visible developmental efforts that had ensured the completion of some infrastructural projects in the FCT.

He commended the Federal Government for renovating public schools and giving special attention to rural communities, adding that the collaboration with community leaders to achieve peace was also commendable.

“The efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor and his team to stabilise the exchange rate are also commendable.

“Going forward, there is still a need to address some other factors that are contributing to the adverse economic conditions in Nigeria.

“In all, it has been an eventful first year of President Tinubu in office,” he said.

According to him, continuous borrowing contributes to inflationary pressure on the economy, adding that when government injects more money into circulation, it drives up prices which lead to a high cost of living for ordinary citizens.

He further maintained that the recent fuel scarcity and increase in the tariff on power were making life more difficult for the citizens.

“We support organised Labour’s demand that the Federal and State governments should intervene through the relevant ministries to alleviate the suffering of the people.

“The review of the minimum wages of Nigerians is very necessary in view of the hyper inflation and general harsh economic environment,” he added.

On food security, the Primate said that Nigeria was blessed with lots of natural resources, adding that its citizens were enterprising and hardworking.

He advised government to ensure that no Nigerian is left hungry or be unsure of food for its family.

“Food security is vital to the overall growth and stability in the country. So, our leaders must address the issue of insecurity because the challenge the citizens face concerning hunger and starvation is alarming.

Primate Ndukuba, however, said that the Church’s theme for the 2024 Synod was a message of hope and demonstration of the power of God to bring divine help in an overwhelming political and socio-economic misery.

“We need the word and divine intervention in our nation, Nigeria. We speak healing and restoration into the Nigeria situation. This siege must be broken, and total restoration shall come to Nigeria.”

Former Archbishop of Abuja Province and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Nicholas Okoh, in his goodwill message, urged Nigerians to join hands in praying for the actualisation of God’s intervention in the country.

He emphasised that the prophesy delivered by the Primate took a lot of courage and prayed for God’s intervention on His children and the country.

“When the people were suffering in Egypt, they were with the belief that a deliverer is coming to rescue them, which is the message that has just been delivered today.

“We are all anxiously waiting for these transformations in our country for the sake of our children who have no other country except Nigeria.

“Therefore, join your hands in prayer and join your hands in everything good for the actualisation of what God is doing,” Okoh said. (NAN)

NEWS

Breaking: George Akume remains SGF – Presidency

Published

on

Share

The presidency says there has been no change in the status of Senator George Akume, as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

This is according to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Mr Onanuga says President Bola Tinubu, currently in Saint Lucia, has not made any new appointments.

He described the information circulating about Akume’s replacement as untrue, adding that agents of mischief fabricated it.

GeorgeAkume

sgf

Continue Reading

NEWS

Diri Campaigns Against Drug Abuse, Trafficking

Published

on

Share

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri yesterday, led a campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking as part of activities commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Diri advised people of the state, particularly the youths, to shun hard drugs and trafficking of illicit substances, saying they were harmful to their health and to the society.

The Bayelsa governor, who spoke shortly after the weekly Prosperity Walk exercise at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, also urged youths to develop themselves by acquiring a skill and work towards actualising their God-given potential.

“We just completed a nine to 10km walk, which is a test of our fitness. As it is said, health is wealth.

“Today is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. We are not only observing the global campaign, we are also leading it here in Bayelsa.

“No one in his right senses goes to commit crime and violent acts except that individuals are under the influence of hard drugs. My advice to youths is to be self-confident, have the fear of God and develop your innate potential for you to become a star.”

He implored youths to emulate the shining example of a Bayelsa-born United States-based athlete, Victory Godah, who was discovered through the state’s sports programmes.

He commended her gesture of donating sporting equipment as a way of giving back to the state.

“Victory Godah from Ekeremor local government area was discovered here and because of her skill, she is now at the University of Minnesota, United States. She has given back to the state through sports equipment so that more of us can have that access.”

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, emphasised the importance of the weekly walk, stating that participants above 40 years would have their blood pressure controlled after taking about 5,000 steps.

Also, state chairman of the Drug Abuse, Addiction, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee, Dr Peter Owonaro, said the committee’s outreach in the state had been a huge success, noting that a recent research indicated that the drug abuse prevalence rate in Bayelsa dropped by five per cent from 21.4 per cent.

Also, the state commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kanu Sunny, lauded the state government for its unprecedented support in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He said the campaign was taken to secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions and encouraged all to join in the war against the menace.

Continue Reading

Foreign News

Ally of Cameroon President, 92, Quits ‘Broken’ Government to Challenge Him

Published

on

Share

Issa Tchiroma Bakary – a prominent minister and long-time ally of President Paul Biya – has quit Cameroon’s government, in the hope of ending 92-year-old Biya’s four-decade grip on power in upcoming elections.

Just four months before the central African nation went to the polls, Tchiroma said the Biya administration he belonged to had “broken” public trust and he was switching to a rival party.

“A country cannot exist in the service of one man,” he said on Wednesday.

While he was communications minister, Tchiroma notably came under fire for denying – then backtracking on his denial – that Cameroonian soldiers had killed women and children in a viral video.

His other roles during almost two decades in government include being a spokesman for the Biya government, and, until his resignation on Tuesday, he was employment minister.

Paul Biya – the world’s oldest head of state – has yet to confirm if he will attempt an eighth term as president. Last year, the country banned reports on the president’s health following rumours he had died.

As this election approaches, high unemployment and soaring living costs are of concern to many Cameroonians, as are corruption and security. A separatist insurgency in the English-speaking provinces as well as jihadists operating in the northernmost region have forced many thousands of Cameroonians from their homes in the past decade.

Cracks in Tchiroma’s relationship with President Biya were blown open earlier this month, when he told crowds in his home city of Garoua that Biya’s time in power had not benefited them in any way.

Tchiroma, widely reported to be 75, continued this criticism in a 24-page manifesto released a day after his resignation – promising to dismantle “the old system” so that Cameroon could move beyond “abuse, contempt, and the confiscation of power”.

One of his proposed solutions is federalism – he is offering to hold a referendum on devolving more power to Cameroon’s 10 provinces. This has long been mooted by many as a solution to the country’s so-called Anglophone crisis.

Specifically addressing English-speaking Cameroonians, who have long complained of marginalisation and discrimination in Francophone-dominated public institutions, he said “you do not need people to speak for you – you need to be listened to” and that “centralisation has failed”.

Tchiroma also used his manifesto to say Cameroon “has been ruled for decades by the same vision, the same system. This model, long presented as a safeguard of stability, has gradually stifled progress, paralysed our institutions, and broken the bond of trust between the state and its citizens”.

As the October presidential election approaches, rights groups have condemned the government’s crackdown on dissent.

Shortly after Tchiroma announced his plans to run for the presidency, the government reportedly announced a ban on all political activities by his Cameroon National Salvation Front (CNSF) party in a sub-district of the Far North region – a part of the country where he is said to be an influential power-broker.

Weeks earlier, fellow presidential hopeful Maurice Kamto had his movements curtailed during a two-day police stakeout in Douala, after promising supporters at a rally in Paris that he would protect Biya and his family if he wins in October.

Parliamentary elections that were also supposed to take place earlier this year have been delayed until 2026.

Reaction to Tchiroma’s presidential bid has been mixed – some think he is canny.

“By positioning himself as the elder statesman who ‘saw the fire coming’, Tchiroma is hedging that his break with Biya will be seen as bold – not opportunistic,” Cameroonian analyst and broadcaster Jules Domshe said.

“From economic fallout to youth unemployment, insecurity, and growing unrest in the North-West, South-West, and Far North [regions], Cameroon is ripe for change.”

Opposition voices are divided – some want Tchiroma to support Kamto, who was the runner-up in 2018 with 14% of votes. But others say he is tainted by his long association with Biya.

“He cannot embody change… He was part of the system for too long. The youth do not trust him,” says Abdoulaye Harissou, a legal notary and prominent critic once detained by the government.

Another member of the opposition – Jean Michel Nintcheu of the APC coalition – simply said: “We don’t see Tchiroma as a potential winner.”

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS3 hours ago

Breaking: George Akume remains SGF – Presidency

ShareThe presidency says there has been no change in the status of Senator George Akume, as Secretary to the Government...

POLITICS14 hours ago

SDP State Chairmen Back Gabam’s Suspension

ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have declared full support for the suspension of...

General News16 hours ago

Benue is Bleeding: The Demand for Justice by Benue Peoples in Diaspora Must be Heard

ShareBy Benue Diaspora Groups Deep in the heart of Nigeria’s North Central geo-political zone, precisely in Benue state, a humanitarian...

POLITICS1 day ago

Anambra Guber: APC ’ll Deploy Grassroots-based Campaign to Sweep Poll – Ukachukwu

ShareTorough David, Abuja The Anambra All Progressive Congress (APC) said it will deploy a grassroots-based campaign strategy to sweep the...

POLITICS1 day ago

INEC Resumes CVR in Anambra July 17, Nationwide Aug. 18

Share Torough David, Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume in Anambra...

NEWS1 day ago

Diri Campaigns Against Drug Abuse, Trafficking

ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri yesterday, led a campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking...

BUSINESS1 day ago

Nigeria Can Lead Africa’s Economic Growth – CIoD

ShareThe outgoing President, Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD), Alhaji Tijjani Borodo has expressed optimism that Nigeria will likely lead...

BUSINESS1 day ago

WTO DG Commends Nigeria Customs for Strides in Trade Modernization

ShareThe Director-General (D-G), World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its remarkable...

Foreign News1 day ago

Ally of Cameroon President, 92, Quits ‘Broken’ Government to Challenge Him

ShareIssa Tchiroma Bakary – a prominent minister and long-time ally of President Paul Biya – has quit Cameroon’s government, in...

Foreign News1 day ago

Crash Kills 29 Pupils Taking Exams after Blast in Central Africa

ShareTorough David, Abuja Twenty-nine children who were taking their school exams in the Central African Republic have been killed in...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc