Connect with us

Religion

Catholic Bishops Task FG on Peace, Security

Published

on

Share

  

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged the Federal Government to further strengthen the peace and security of the nation.

Most. Rev. Augustine Akubeze, CBCN President, said this during the opening ceremony of the second plenary of CBCN in Abeokuta on Sunday at the Sacred Heart College Hall.

Earlier in the day, the bishops were joined by Catholic lay faithful, priests and leaders of other Christian denominations at the opening mass for the plenary meeting held at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cathedral, Itesi Abeokuta .

The conference which converged the presence of all Catholic bishops in Nigeria in Abeokuta addressed the state of the nation among other pertinent issues affecting the Catholic Church and the country at large.

Akubeze said that it remained the duty of the government to protect the constitutional rights of its citizens and also ensure peace and effective security.

He said that adequate security of lives and properties would bring about peace and would eventually lead to sustainable development.

Akubuze also the  Catholic Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese condemned the recent killings of some Catholic priests  in some parts of the country.

“Only recently we heard of the burning of Rev. Fr. David Tanko of Jalingo Diocese to death and only recently we heard of the killing of a priest in Enugu Diocese.

“We Catholic priests and faithfu must preach daily the message of peace and justice. It is part of the message of Christ. It is part of the mission of the church.

“As missionaries, we must be harbingers of justice and peace in our land.

“We are just interested in living our lives peacefully without any fear of being kidnapped for ransom or being driven from our home land.

“Every government that fails to protect the constitutional rights of her citizens has failed. The leaders of a country should ensure peace and security of his people,” he said.

Also, the Chairperson of the conference, Prof. Catherine Eromosele, decried the continued  keeping hostage of  Leah Sharibu.

Eromosele said that she  had spent no less than 1,980 days in the custody of  Boko Haram, and urged the Bishops to keep her matter  and others abducted alive.

Eromosele appealed to the Catholic clerics to urge the Federal Government to do all that is possible to ensure their release without further delay.

In his remarks, Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun lauded the Catholic Church for contributing to the development of the state and  the country at large.

He called on the church to continue to pray for the peace and unity of the country.

He  added that the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari would not disappoint Nigerians by fulfilling his electioneering.

Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and his Plateau  counterpart, Simon Lalong and  the Minister of Transportation, Mr  Rotimi Amaechi attended the events.

Also,  Prof. Pat Utomi, Mr Jimi Agbaje, the Alake of Egba Land,  Oba  Adedotun Gbadebo were among the dignitaries at both the mass and the opening ceremony. (NAN)

NEWS

Methodist Archbishop, Igwe Condemns Spate of Insecurity, Killings in Nigeria 

Published

on

Share

By, Godwin Okeh Abakaliki 

The Archdiocesan Bishop of Methodist Church, Archdiocese of Ebonyi, His Grace Most Rev. Chikwendu Ogan Igwe has condemned in totality the spate of insecurity and killings of innocent citizens, especially in Plateau, Benue and some part of Ebonyi State.

Igwe, however, called on governments at all levels and wealthy personalities in Nigeria to rise and use their privileged positions to impact on the poor and less privileged in the society.

The Archdiocesan Bishop, Igwe made this known in a communiqué signed by him and the Archdiocesan Lay President, Onwe Sunday Onwe and issued to newsmen in Abakaliki, shortly after the end of the 31st annual synod of the diocese of Abakaliki, held at the cathedral of the holy Trinity, Ebonyi State.

The synod, however commended the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for citing the coastal Roads that passed through Ebonyi State, adding that the roads will encourage economic development and ease of transport and communication in the area.

He equally applauded the governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru for  his intervention in communal clashes in some areas of the state, especially in Effium/Ezza Effium, Amasiri/Edda, Amangwu/Isinkwo and encouraged him not to relent in restoration of total peace in the entire State.

The eleven points communique reads in part: “The Synod encouraged the governor, Francis Nwifuru not to relent in the restoration of total peace in the entire State and also praise  his administration for human capital development he exhibits through the people charter of needs which Methodist Church has also benefited from, before and especially during the inauguration of the Archdiocese of Ebonyi.

“The Synod affirmed that Methodist Church Nigeria has risen to their responsibilities of not only praying for the state and Nigeria, the

 Citizens and especially leaders at all levels but also to contribute their quota in addressing issues of concern where necessary.

“The assembly called for attitudinal change of sacrificial giving and faithful tithing, aggressive evangelism, health services, welfare of workers and other spiritual infrastructural development of the Diocese to achieve a better result.

“The synod called on the leaders to cultivate good relationships with God as in the case of Mary and Martha in order to attract God’s intervention in the present unstable economic downturn of the Nation.

“The Synod condemned the spate of insecurity pervading the entire Nation especially the recent killings in Plateau, Benue and some part of Ebonyi State and advised that leadership at all levels should arise to tackle these threats to lives and properties.

“In the face of the uncertainty in our present society, insecurity, hunger, poverty and hardships, the Synod enjoined the general public to allow the resurrection power of Christ to drive their faith to Christ’s redemptive work. 

“The Synod called on the general public and youths in particular to shun all   forms of social vices, such as cultism, ritual killings, drug abuse, sexual immorality and illicit masquerading especially among the Christendom” the communiqué noted.

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction
Continue Reading

Foreign News

Pope Leo XIV To Be Inaugurated May 18

Published

on

Share

The Vatican on Friday announced that Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration will take place on May 18 with a mass in St. Peter’s Square, following his election to succeed Pope Francis.

The ceremony is to take place at 10a.m (0800 GMT) May 18 at the Vatican.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was announced as the first U.

S.
 pontiff on Thursday after white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel following four rounds of voting in the papal conclave.

The new pope is set to keep Francis’ top employees in the Vatican in place for the time being, the Holy See said.

The first of his weekly general audiences is planned for May 21. (dpa/NAN)

Continue Reading

Metro

NCPC Congratulates Christians Worldwide on Emergence of Pope Leo XIV

Published

on

Share

 Bishop Stephen Adegbite, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), has congratulated Catholics and Christians worldwide on the election of Pope Leo XIV as the 267th Pontiff of the Catholic Church.

Adegbite said this in a statement signed by Mr Celestine Toruka, the Deputy Director and Head, Media and Public Relations of NCPC on Friday in Abuja.

Toruka quoted the NCPC boss as saying “we congratulate Pope Leo XIV on his historic election as the first American to ascend the seat of St.

Peter.

“We urge His Holiness to use his new role as the leader of the Catholics globally to preach peace and promote dialogue in addressing the myriad of societal ills plaguing humanity.

He commended the 133 cardinals for their unanimity of purpose, resilience and forthrightness in choosing the new Bishop of Rome.

He expressed appreciation to Catholics and non-Catholics alike for their fervent prayers, which he believed contributed to the smooth election of the new Pontiff.

Adegbite noted that he was particularly touched by the new pope’s inaugural speech, in which he affirmed that the Church should serve as platform for building bridges.

He added that “this is exactly what the world needs now. We wish Pope Leo XIV good health of mind and body to carry out his apostolic duties.

“We pray that the Good Lord will grant him the grace to take the Catholic Church and all Christians to a higher pedestal of spirituality.”(NAN)

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS3 hours ago

Police Fix Aug. 12 to Begin Tinted Glass Permit Enforcement

ShareThe Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has approved an extension of the grace period for the enforcement of...

NEWS3 hours ago

Gombe Governor Backs Tinubu for 2027 Re-election

ShareGov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State declared his support on Saturday for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Yahaya...

NEWS3 hours ago

MTN, NDLEA Join Forces to Combat Drug Abuse in Enugu

ShareMTN Nigeria and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have joined forces in a landmark collaboration to tackle illicit...

NEWS3 hours ago

AANI Gets New Exco in Ekiti/Ondo, Reaffirms Commitment to National Unity

ShareThe Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) has inaugurated executives for its Ondo/Ekiti chapter, with a promise to champion...

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu
NEWS4 hours ago

Lagos Community Defies Downpour to Celebrate Unity in Diversity

ShareIsoto Community of Lagos State on Saturday defied hours of downpour to celebrate the unity of the various peoples, cultures...

NEWS4 hours ago

NOA Promotes Voluntary Blood Donation

ShareThe National Orientation Agency (NOA), Jigawa Directorate, has emphasised the importance of voluntary blood donation in saving lives and ensuring...

NEWS4 hours ago

UN Reaffirms Support for Nigeria’s Environmental Protection

Share The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mohamed Fall, has reiterated the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in...

NEWS13 hours ago

Gombe: Five Persons Electrocuted, 13 Injured – Police

ShareThe Police Command in Gombe State, on Saturday, confirmed the electrocution of five persons while 13 others sustained varying degrees...

NEWS13 hours ago

Police Arrest Suspects Over Alleged Theft of 2 Minors in Anambra

Share The Police Command in Anambra has nabbed two suspects over alleged theft of two related minors at Okpuno-Oba, Idemili-South...

General News19 hours ago

HON. JUSTICE MOHAMMED LAWAL UWAIS: A JUDGE’S JUDGE

ShareBYPROF MIKE A. A. OZEKHOME, SAN, CON, OFR, FCIARB, LL.D. THE SILENCE BEFORE THE GONGWhen a great Iroko falls, it...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc