NEWS
Christian Worshipers Urge Tinubu, Bago to Rescue Abducted Pupils
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Worshippers from within the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora on Sunday called on President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly for the safe return of the abducted children and teachers of St. Mary’s Private Catholic church in Papiri Agwarra local government area of Niger state who are still held in captivity.
One of the worshippers, a retired teacher, Madam Cecilia Audi, who spoke with our Correspondent after the Sunday Mass called on President Tinubu to act fast and ensure the safe return of the children like they did for those in Kebbi state.
According to her “honestly, I pity the Bishop for all the stress and to know that these children and teachers are still in captivity, but God will see him through and bring our children back to us safely.
“President Tinubu and Governor Umar Bago do all you can to bring back our children. We are all crying and cannot eat or sleep.”
Another parent and worshipper, Tina Okeke who is also the Provincial Catholic Women President and Elizabeth Otti charged women in the state and Nigeria at large to join in the prayers to call for urgent release of those in captivity.
Accordingly, they said “we believe in God that these innocent young children will return home and be reunited with their parents.”
Okeke then asked “is it an offense to send our children to school or to get our children educated? Mothers all over the world irrespective of religion, tribe or other affiliation are praying along with us.
“I call on our dear President and his wife to please act fast, find a way to get these children returned safely to their parents”.
While assuring that the prayers said during the service shall be answered, Elizabeth Otti disclosed that, the people now go out in fear, they worship and go to the market in fear.
An executive member of the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO), Kontagora Diocese, Emmanuel Anyanwu said ever since the adoption, most parents have not been able to sleep or eat.
He then appealed to the federal and state governments including the security agencies to top up their actions. “I have not been myself ever since, as you can see, everyone is devastated but our hopes are high”, he added.
In his Homily to mark the First Sunday of Advent at the St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna prayed for the ‘Return of the pupils, students and teachers who were abducted over a week ago.
According to him “what happened to us is very tragic, and unexpected. But those who are supposed to stand up to do their work have started doing so.
“As I speak to you now, one of our catechists has four children among those abducted. We cannot hide from reality and the time has come for the truth to be told.
Bishop Yohanna, who is also the Proprietor of the School, said for over a week now, 265 children and teachers are not yet accounted for.
“We need them back and I believe those who are responsible to secure us are doing their work. Everyone is traumatized but let’s continue to pray”.
While thanking everyone for their support and prayers, Bishop Yohanna said “I want to believe that our government is ready and capable to do the right thing for the safe return of the children and teachers”.
By David Torough, Abuja
The founders and Senior Pastors of Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), Dr. Paul and Dr. (Mrs.) Becky Enenche, have successfully trained and empowered 100 individuals in agribusiness as part of their commitment to youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
Dr.
Paul Enenche made the announcement during the church’s Thanksgiving and Testimony Service on Sunday, highlighting the initiative as a strategic effort to promote self-reliance and agricultural productivity.According to the cleric, each beneficiary will be allocated at least one hectare of farmland to commence farming activities upon completion of the training programme.
He further disclosed that the beneficiaries will receive monthly stipends to support them until their agricultural produce is ready for harvest.Dr. Enenche noted that the training and empowerment programme represents a significant investment, with each participant’s training costing approximately ₦500,000.
The beneficiaries, who constitute Batch A of the Entrepreneurship Agribusiness Training Programme, graduated from the C.S.S. Farm and Skills Acquisition Centre located along the Keffi–Abuja Road. The entire programme was fully sponsored by Dr Paul,Dr (Mrs.) Becky Enenche and the church as part of their ongoing efforts to empower individuals with practical skills and sustainable means of livelihood.
The initiative reflects the church’s commitment to transforming lives through both spiritual and socio-economic empowerment.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general election, saying INEC has no candidate or political party to favour.
In a post obtained from INEC’s X handle on Sunday, Amupitan stated this during a visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb.
Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, as part of the commission’s stakeholder engagement and preparations for the 2027 elections.The visit formed part of activities surrounding INEC’s planned interactive meeting with staff and readiness assessment at the zonal level.
The INEC chairman was accompanied by National Commissioners, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Technical Assistant, Chief of Staff, Special Aides and other senior officials of the commission.
Amupitan described traditional institutions as important stakeholders in the electoral process because of their influence and reach within communities.
He said elections were fundamentally about the social contract between citizens and those entrusted with public office, stressing that public trust was essential to the success of democracy.
According to him, INEC has commenced preparations early because of the size and complexity of conducting elections across Nigeria.
He said the commission had moved away from last-minute preparations and was testing, auditing and strengthening its operational systems well ahead of the 2027 polls.
Amupitan assured the Emir that INEC remained committed to neutrality, fairness and transparency in the conduct of elections.
“We have no candidates, we have no political party, we have no interest other than the sovereign will of the people of Nigeria,” the INEC chairman said.
He added that the commission would continue engaging traditional institutions and other stakeholders as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Kano State Command, has deployed personnel to Garko Local Government Area to track and contain dogs suspected to be infected with rabies.
The service said the suspected rabid dog had bitten 18 people in Garko and its environs.
The NFSS State Commander, Abdullahi Al’ameen, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Usman Abdullahi-Umar, on Sunday in Kano.
Al’ameen said: “The command received a distress report at about 2 p.m. that a dog suspected to be rabid has attacked residents in Garko town.
“The dog has so far bitten 11 persons in Garko town before moving to neighbouring communities, including Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya and Dausai.
“It has also attacked and bitten seven additional persons in the affected communities.”
The commander further explained that they had received another report that two more dogs had been infected with rabies in the area.
Al’ameen said personnel of NFSS Garko Division, under the leadership of the Divisional Forest Officer, Auwalu Muhammad, had been deployed to the affected areas to track and contain the infected dogs.
He urged residents of Garko and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and report sightings of stray or suspected rabid dogs to the nearest NFSS office or other security agencies.
The commander also advised residents who might have been bitten by suspected rabid dogs to seek immediate medical attention.
Al’ameen assured residents that the NFSS would continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to prevent further attacks.(NAN)
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