COVER
Easter: Osinbajo, Jonathan, Atiku others Assure Hope for Nigeria
…Imbibe Spirit of Sacrifice – CAN
… Anglican Church Opens Doors for Unwedded Couples
By Martin Paul, Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) yesterday encouraged Nigerians to “have great hope that things are going to get better for the country”.
Osinbajo, who stated this in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, prayed that Nigeria should experience the grace and mercy of God.
The statement titled: ‘Osinbajo’s Easter Message to Nigerians: All Will Be Well with Our Country” read thus: “I just want to thank God for our nation, and pray that our nation will experience the grace and mercy of God in so many different ways that we are expecting His grace and mercy.
All will be well in Jesus name”.While wishing Nigerians a Happy Easter celebration, the vice president added that the message was as a result of the special and exceeding love and grace of God.
“God’s plan for humanity was that Christ will die and will resurrect. The resurrection is evidence of the fact that those who believe would be saved eternally and would live eternal joy and peace with the Almighty. And that promise is open to every single person. “Whoever you are, that promise is open to you”, Osinbajo said,
Jonathan Preaches Love, Atiku Talks Forgiving Spirit
Former president, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has felicitated with Nigerian Christians as they celebrate Easter.
In statement posted on his verified Twitter handle, Jonathan said the resurrection of the Lord Jesus is fundamental to all Christians.
He, thereafter, called on Christians and all Nigerians to prioritise love, peace and unity as a means of tackling the current security and economic challenges bedeviling the country.
Similarly, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to pray for the peace and unity of the country.
Atiku said Nigeria would overcome its challenges when citizens emulate Jesus Christ by having a heart of forgiveness.
The former Vice President made the remark in his Easter message to Nigerians.
Atiku urged Nigerians to unite against the country’s challenges like most advanced countries did against COVID-19.
He pointed out that without sacrifice, love is not achievable amongst Nigerians.
Atiku described Easter period as a time of reflection and sacrifice.
In the message he personally signed, Atiku said, “The essence of Easter celebration is not merely for us to merry.
“This occasion of Easter celebration, I urge all Nigerians to take time to pray first of all for peace to return to the country and also for unity.
“Nigeria is at the precipice of insecurity, poverty and, most unfortunately, disunity.
“These are challenges, not impediments. The way to surmount these challenges is to learn from the world when super power countries who are rivals suspended politics to face a common threat in COVID-19.
“I believe that when we approach our challenges with a heart of forgiveness and love, humanity will always triumph. This is the lesson that Jesus (Nabil Yisa) taught us.”
The former Vice President also appealed to Nigerians to pray for the military for their sacrifices in keeping citizens safe.
Imbibe Spirit of Sacrifice – CAN
Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kogi chapter, Bishop John Ibenu, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the sacrificial life of Christ to guarantee peace and security in the nation. Ibenu disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lokoja.
He said that Nigerians should live a life of sacrifice, love and forgiveness to guarantee peaceful coexistence in the nation. The cleric said that Easter was all about sacrifice, love, forgiveness, peace and eternal life, which were the mission of Jesus Christ on the earth according to God’s divine plans.
He urged Christians to learn to wait on God, read and speak about their faith, pray together, pray for one another, the nation, Kogi and for humanity at large. ”I congratulate Christians and the entire humanity for the crucifixion and the eventual resurrection of Jesus Christ today being Easter Sunday. ”As we mark this occasion which actually marks the life of sacrifice, I call on all Christians, the people of Kogi, Nigerians and all of humanity to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice.
”Jesus Christ, even though, God, left everything in heaven for the sake of humanity to come down to our level. ”I call on everyone especially those who are in high positions to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice. Let our leaders be humble and become servant leaders.
”Jesus came to teach us servant leadership and in so doing he sacrificed and laid down his life for humanity. ”Jesus came to transform humanity and give eternal life, therefore, let us work for the transformation of our state, nation and humanity,” Ibenu said.
He called on all Nigerians, irrespective of their differences to love their neighbour as themselves and to also strive to improve the lives of others. ”Christians, Muslims, pagans, let us embrace the life of sacrifice in our offices, homes and markets to make the life of everyone around us better.
Anglican Church Opens Doors for Unwedded Couples
In the spirit o Easter,Anglicam Communion has opens its doors for couples who have been faced by recurrent economic and social challenges that had prevented them from the solemnization of their holy matrimony.
They have been given a window of opportunity to participate in a correctional marriage programme by the Church in Nigeria on the second Saturday after every Easter Sunday of the year..
This announcement was made public by the Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba during the general announcements to close the special service to mark the 2021 Easter Sunday at the Cathedral Church of The Advent, Gwarimpa, Abuja.
In his brief announcement of the programme nationwide, he said, “We hereby invite you all to attend a programme for the correctional marriage of some members who might need the blessing of the Church on their marriages on Saturday the 17th of April, 2021. “This is the opportunity for members and indeed all of those who have been living together and raising a family but have been unable to organize a wedding ceremony as elaborate as they wished due to some socio-economic challenges.
“We in the Church have decided to do this, not only this year but in every year on the second Saturday after Easter Sunday.
“We also want Churches across the country to note that it is a mass wedding programme and because we are trying to make things easy for participants, the event should also go with a mass reception for all of those who participate in the programme. During the sermon he delivered on the pulpit of the church”, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba said.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja Federal Government says it will consider using private sector funds through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a funding option for certain key projects in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.This was disclosed when the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji.
The meeting which was at the instance of the ICRC DG, sought partnership between the two government bodies to harness PPPs to advance critical projects that can boost the economic and technological growth of the nation. Speaking during the meeting, Dr Ewalefoh said that science and technology, if properly deployed, can serve as a key driver of the economic growth and progress of Nigeria.“Many countries around the world have used Science and Technology to drive the economic growth and prosperity of their country and people.“We are here to brainstorm with you and find ways by which we can deepen the usage of science and technology for the advancement of our country.“Over the last two decades, countries and businesses have harnessed technology and innovation for upscaling their economy and improve the efficiency in their service delivery.“That is where we want our country to go, and we believe that is the vision you are championing under the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.“It is, therefore, my aspiration that your ministry will partner with the ICRC to see areas where we can champion private sector funding through Public Private Partnership to develop some of the projects specific to the ministry,” he said.The DG informed the Minister that there was already a collaboration with an agency under its purview but stressed that there were other key areas where PPP could be harnessed to deliver laudable projects in the Ministry.He added that the commission has streamlined its processes to accelerate PPP project delivery and deliver important services to the Nigerian people, pointing out that some key private sector operators have already verbalised their desire to work with the Ministry in a PPP arrangement.In his remarks, the Minister expressed his excitement at the appointment of Dr Ewalefoh as the DG of ICRC, saying that the DG’s wealth of experience will revolutionise the PPP sphere in Nigeria, adding that, indeed, a square peg has been placed in a square hole.The Minister emphasised that the Ministry served as a key enabler of economic growth and has had the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrated through major approvals granted the Ministry.He said that the President had given approval for methanol production, saying that although the implementation process were still being finalised, foreign direct investments for the project has reached over $1.5 billion.“We want to go into beneficiation of raw materials and we have the presidential executive order number 5 to back it, such that we don’t have to export our raw materials, but process it to a level before exporting. We are looking at doing green hydrogen, too,” he said.He stressed that Nigeria could make a lot more from cassava export than it was currently making if the raw cassava was processed before export.“We believe that with ICRC, we will partner in doing things right and enabling us to forge a better outlook for most of these projects.“In methanol, we are going to involve ICRC more closely to see the way forward and how it can benefit the country better.“I am happy that you are here; coming here shows that you know what you are doing. You are taking services to those that need it,” he said.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani armed militia, on Wednesday night, reportedly invaded Anyiin town in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Multiple reports indicated that no fewer than 15 persons were killed in the attack, leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries while yet to be ascertained number were missing.
The attack, which was said to have been launched at about 6:30pm by the well-armed Fulani herders, caught the community unawares as the invaders reportedly emerged from different locations shooting at everyone in sight.
The attackers, who were said to be numbering about 200, were reported to be wielding AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons, operated for about three hours.
An eyewitness and community leader in Anyiin town, Chief Joseph Anawah, said the armed herders overwhelmed security operatives stationed in the town because of their large numbers.
He said it was a coordinated operation, stating that the alleged Fulani terrorists took residents of the town unawares, surrounded the town and shot sporadically.
Anawah said some of the villagers who ran for their dear lives were caught in an ambush laid by the invaders.
He listed some of the victims to include: Mr Orihundu Ati, a retired primary school supervisor and the son of a kindred head.
Also killed was a son to a Chief of Staff to a former Logo council chairman, Tordoo Suswam and a relation of a late District head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.
Anawah listed Ukemberagya, Tswarev, Mbawar, Gov, Mbainange, and Tombo among neighbouring communities earlier displaced by the invaders and whose residents were taking refuge in Anyiin before the latest attack.
The community leaders appealed to the federal government and the Benue state government to revive an abandoned Mobile Police barracks project along Akwana-Anyiin-Wukari road to secure the lives and property in the communities.
They lamented that farmers in the affected communities could not harvest their crops because they were being killed and abducted on their farms by the armed invaders.
According to them, communities along the Benue-Taraba border are the worst hit by the marauders’ incessant attacks.”This is the second attack in one month by the Fulani terrorists. On Oct. 9, they attacked Ayilamo town, the headquarters of Tombo Council Ward and killed scores of people. As I speak, people are deserting Anyiin town for fear of the unknown”, Chief Anawah said.
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas yesterday described growing malnutrition and food insecurity as great threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and public health.
Inaugurating the Local Organizing Committee for the National Assembly summit on nutrition and food security in Abuja, the Speaker reiterated the urgent need for legislative action to restore the country’s productivity and public health.
Abbas who was represented by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu noted that Nigeria’s rate of malnutrition is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
He noted that malnutrition, especially among children, stunts physical and cognitive development, impacting long-term educational and economic potential and contributing to broader societal challenges.
The Speaker assured the lawmakers’ full support for the committee’s initiatives, urging collaboration with State Houses of Assembly to create a unified approach to combating food insecurity.
He said, “The need for this National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security has never been more urgent.
“This organizing committee’s mission is to foster collaboration across ministries, engage both public and private sectors, and create a platform for lawmakers, experts, and community leaders to address the root causes of food security challenges.”
The chairman of the committee, Chike Okafor said there is malnutrition across Nigeria, particularly in the north spiking by 51 percent among children.
He described the situation as a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by recent floods in Adamawa, Maiduguri, and Jigawa, which have disrupted food supplies nationwide.
According to him, the summit will help to in the formulation of policies to tackle food insecurity.
Police Say at Criminal Responsibility Age, Individuals must be Answerable for Their Actions
Share The Nigeria Police Force says individuals who have attained the age of criminal responsibility must be answerable for their...
Bells Varsity Honours 91 Students with First Class at 16th Convocation
Share Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun, on Saturday awarded 91 students of the institution First Class (Honours) at its...
Lagos PDP will Find Bearing after State Congresses — Chieftain
Share A Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, says the state chapter of...
Endbadgovernance protest: Suspects not in Custody of NCoS, -Says Spokesman
ShareThe Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that suspects arrested during the #Endbadgovernance protest in August 2024 were not remanded...
FG Releases Funds for Payment of NASU, Retirees’ Entitlements
ShareThe Federal Government has released funds for payment of withheld salary of Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities (NASU). Mr...
Troops Nab Wanted Terrorist, Habu Dogo, 7 IPOB/ESN Terrorists
Share The Defence Headquarters says the Nigerian troops have in the last one week apprehended a notorious terrorist leader, Abubakar...
Nigeria Needs to Construct more Dams to Control Flooding- FG Committee
Share The Director of Dams and Reservoirs Operations in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Ali Dala, has called for...
NCC Raids Bookshops in Uyo, Seizes Pirated Books Worth N23m
Share The Nigerian Copyright Commission on Saturday raided several bookshops selling pirated books in Uyo and seized books worth N23.1...
Rivers APC Chair Proffers Solution to State Political Crisis
Share Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC in Rivers, Chief Tony Okocha, says unless Gov. Siminalayi Fubara abides by the law,...
Police Neutralise 6 Hoodlums, Recover Firearms in Bauchi
Share The Police Command in Bauchi State, says it has neutralised six hoodlums in a crackdown against criminal elements in...