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.

See also  Hajj: NAHCON appoints Liaison Officers for Pilgrims’ Hostels

“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.

See also  Kaigama Tasks FG, States on Security

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)

Faith

Lent: Priest Preaches Forgiveness for Improved Christian Life

Published

on

Share

The Catholic Priest in charge of Holy Spirit Church, Onireke, Lagos, Rev. Fr. Anthony Okereke, has urged Christians to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness for spiritual growth.

Okereke, a Soul Revival and Healing Gospel Preacher, made the call while celebrating an early morning Lent Mass on Saturday.

He said the essence of the mass was to reposition Christian faithful to partake in the blessings of the Lent season.

The priest said the Lent seasons should be used by Christians to atone for their sins and be better positioned to communion with God.

Okereke said that the season was an important period in the life of every Christian, adding, ”it’s a time to make peace with God and humans”.

”The fasting and prayers that we undertake during Lent will be meaningless if we still harbour acrimonies against our neigbhours.

”If we expect God to forgive us of our misdeeds, we must first forgive those who have wronged us.

”We must remember that God created man in His own image and likeness, so we must begin to make peace with your fellow humans,” he said.

The catholic clergy further urged Christians not to relent in praying for national unity, peace and development.

See also  Kaigama Tasks FG, States on Security

”If there is a man to pray, there is God to answer. Let us use the Lent season to seek the face of God,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lent is a 40-day period of fasting and prayer which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar.

The 2023 Lent season which began on Feb. 22, would end on April 6.(NAN)

Continue Reading

NEWS

CAN has not Endorsed any Governorship Candidate in Plateau – Chairman

Published

on

Share

The Plateau chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says it has not endorsed governorship candidate of any political party.

Its chairman, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Sunday that Plateau electorate should turn out en-masse on March 11 to vote for the leader of their choice.

“Concerning the governorship and the state assembly elections, be enthusiastic to come and vote en-masse the candidate of your choice in the interest of Plateau.

“Vote candidates who are God-fearing; have integrity and are accountable; vote men and women of good character and who have track records and are passionate about Plateau,’’ he charged.

Lubo thanked Plateau people for participating in the presidential election, saying that those whose candidates did not win should not be discouraged from participating in the governorship election.

He added that it was important for Plateau to pray for the will of God to prevail at the elections.

The CAN leader in Plateau also admonished the people not to take the laws into their hands no matter the outcome of the elections. (NAN)

See also  Hajj: NAHCON appoints Liaison Officers for Pilgrims’ Hostels
Continue Reading

NEWS

290 Christian Pilgrims Depart for Israel

Published

on

Nigeria Pilgrim
Share

The Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), said it transported the eighth batch of no fewer than 290 Christian pilgrims from Adamawa and Lagos States to Jordan and Israel for pilgrimage.

The pilgrims departed on Tuesday through the Yola International Airport.

Addressing the pilgrims, NCPC’s Executive Secretary, Rev.

Yakubu Pam, said that 120 pilgrims were from Adamawa and 170 from Lagos State, including those who sponsored themselves.

He urged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and abide by rules and regulations for a hitch-free exercise.

Pam tasked pilgrims to be prayerful for continued peace as well as stability of the nation and peaceful elections to be accepted as the will of God.

“This is the eighth batch; the first batch left on December 16th, through Enugu International Airport. All of the batches became prayer warriors for the general elections.

“And today, you can see how the election is going; if not because of prayers by now Nigeria could have been something else. So your prayers have to be higher for governorship elections to be successful,” he said.

He also warned pilgrims against absconding and engaging in religious aspects of life while in the Holy land.

See also  Buhari Vows to Sustain Operational Tempo on Security

Pam commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for their support and cooperation with the commission and the pilgrims.

In his remarks, Chairman of Adamawa Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Peter Birth, urged the pilgrims to pray for peaceful elections and a peaceful transition of government.

He also commended the Adamawa Government for all the support rendered to ensure that the pilgrimage was successful.

NCPC’S Chaplin and Director, Special Duties, Pastor Raphael Oyinloye, charged the pilgrims to take the journey as a spiritual act of worship and not for tourism.

He urged them to also be obedient to authorities and the officials for a hitch-free exercise (NAN) 

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

Metro7 hours ago

Regular Demolitions ‘ll End Insecurity – FCTA  

Share Post Views: 18 By Laide Akinboade, Abuja  The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Thursday, said its commitment to ensuring...

NEWS8 hours ago

FCTA Vows to Demolish Structures on Waterways

Share Post Views: 40 By Laide Akinboade, Abuja  As part of the proactive measures to mitigate flooding in Abuja, the...

SPORTS8 hours ago

Kick-off and Final Match Dates Confirmed for 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire

Share Post Views: 67 Dates for the kick-off and final matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled...

CRIME8 hours ago

Woman, 33, Arraigned for Impersonating Police Officer

Share Post Views: 67 A 33-year-old woman, Damilola Odutola, who allegedly impersonated a police officer in an attempt to invade...

Economy9 hours ago

Experts Canvass Better Attention to Taxes, Untapped Minerals, others 

Share Post Views: 67 By Gom Mirian, Abuja Experts in the research and development sectors have called on the incoming...

Nigeria Army Nigeria Army
DEFENCE9 hours ago

Army to Review Troops’ Conduct During Elections, other Operations

Share Post Views: 65 The Nigerian Army is set to review the conduct of troops in Operation Safe Conduct during...

Business News9 hours ago

Agba Leads Govt Delegation to South Korea on Bilateral Cooperation

Share Post Views: 69 By Tony Obiechina, Abuja  Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba,...

DEFENCE9 hours ago

Buhari Pleased with Troops` Performance in North East – Gen. Irabor

Share Post Views: 66 The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, says that  President Muhammadu Buhari is happy...

CRIME9 hours ago

Court Remands 9 Persons for Allegedly Robbing, killing a Police Inspector

Share Post Views: 78  A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court in Benue on Thursday, ordered the remand of nIne persons in...

Business News9 hours ago

Dangote Lists N300bn Bonds, Largest Ever on NGX, FMDQ

Share Post Views: 68 Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has formally listed its N300 billion Series 1 and 2 bonds issued...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc