Religion
#EndSARS: Sultan Directs Imams to Dedicate Friday Sermon to Calm Followers
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed all Nigerian Imams to dedicate their sermons on Friday, Oct. 23, to calm the people over the ongoing EndSARS crisis in the country.
Sultan, who is also the President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), gave the directive in a statement signed by Alhaji Femi Abbas, Chairman, NSCIA Media Committee.
The monarch strongly emphasised the fact that only a peaceful environment backed up by fervent prayer could propel hope and harmony for the citizens of any country in which God was believed to be in control.
He particularly praised the Imams of the various Mosques in all parts of Nigeria, for not transgressing in their sermons during the crisis, either by maligning any group or instigating any particular tribe or religious adherents.
“As a matter of serious concern and urgent expectation of tranquility in Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has declared the coming Friday, October 23, 2020, as a day of special prayer for the nation.
“Such a special prayer, according to him, should not be limited to Nigerian Muslims living in Nigeria alone, but to include others, who are residing abroad.
“They should also join their brothers and sisters at home in this crucial prayer since Nigeria is for all Nigerians, irrespective of their places of residence.”
He commended the Nigerian Muslims generally for handling the ongoing ‘EndSARS’ mass protests with moderation, according to Islamic norm and as expected of them as Muslims.
He implored Muslims to further ensure that they do not get distracted from the scope of Islamic guidance concerning conflict and resolution at any time.
He emphasised the need for the Imams to calm down strained nerves through clement preaching for peace as well as their verbal ventilation of the national atmosphere for permanent tranquility to the benefit of all and sundry.
Abubakar also implored all Nigerian Muslim congregations to heartily join their Imams in offering the special prayer on Friday, for the stability of the country.
The monarch noted that for any people who believed fervently in Allah, there could never be a crisis that was irresolvable with prayer.
He beseeched Allah never to allow the bountiful blessings with which He gloriously endows the country to end up in a regrettable history.
The Sultan appealed to the government to sincerely consider a quick implementation of the demands of the protesting youths to which it had graciously agreed.
The Islamic leader also counseled the protesters to allow the government to act positively on those demands in the overall interest of peace and tranquility of the country.
He cautioned Muslim youths against joining any evil gang of violence into which some disgruntled Nigerian adults, with hidden agenda, may cunningly lure them with a bait that could lead them to irreversible contrition.
He also counseled them to be wary of any sugar-coated utterances that may eventually turn their hope into forlorn and jeopardize their future at a time when the deceptive elements will not be available for rescue. (NAN)
Religion
Not Everything on Social Media Should Feed You- Cleric
The Senior Pastor of Streams of Joy International, Jerry Eze, has urged Christians not to feed on everything they see on social media.Eze made the call during his sermon at the church service on Sunday in Abuja.He noted that certain contents on social media could corrupt the minds of God’s children,negatively influencing their thoughts,spirit and behavior.
“Don’t let everything feed you. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Not everything on social media should feed you.“You remember the vile words of the enemy more than you remember what is in the word(the Bible).“I didn’t even want to talk about it, but I do recognise that when you head Equatorial Guinea, it fed you and re-fed you, “he said.He said that God has unique plans for His children, but required them to be in tune with Him.He added that they also need to be intentional about the information they consume on social media, the company they keep, and the places they go.Eze urged the congregants to guard their vision in accordance with God’s instructions, just as a pregnant woman was advised on what to consume to keep her body safe and healthy.The cleric prayed for wisdom and understanding for the congregants, asking God to guide them on their unique life paths.He added that they should not dwell on their fears and insecurities, but instead look to God for the fulfillment of their new seasons.According to the pastor, some difficulties are allowed by God to build and prepare his children to handle greater responsibilities in the future.(NANReligion
Bigard Seminary has Produced 4 Cardinals, 37 Bishops– Rector
The Rector, Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, Very Rev. Fr. Albert Ikpenwa, says the seminary has produced four cardinals, 14 archbishops, 37 bishops and thousands of priests since it officially opened in 1924.
Ikpenwa disclosed this on Tuesday at news conference to give insight on Bigard Centenary Celebration scheduled to begin on Nov.
10 in Enugu.He said the seminary had also produced thousands of priests working in Nigeria, Europe, America, Australia and other parts of the world.
Ikpenwa listed the Cardinals to include Francis Arinze, Dominic Ekandem, Christian Tummi and Peter Okpalaeke.
According to him, some of the archbishops are Valerian Okeke, Bishops Callistus Onaga, John Okoye, Albert Obiefuna, among others.
He added that the seminary had also served in the formation of seminarians from Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Liberia and produced professors in many universities as well as other individuals who studied there but did not serve as priest.
The rector said Bigard Memorial Seminary started as St. Paul’s Seminary, Igbariam, Anambra, in 1922, an initiative of Bishop Joseph Shanahan, the then Vicar Apostolic of the Vicariate of Southern Nigeria.
“The seminary was, however, officially opened in 1924 to teach theology and philosophy following Pope Benedict XV’s 1919’s letter that emphasised the need and urgency of establishing indigenous clergy in mission lands.
“In 1928, the seminary was moved to Onitsha and a senior seminary was opened at Eke in Enugu State in 1934 to separate it from the junior seminary.
“The senior seminary was later transferred to Enugu in 1939, then to Okpala, Imo, in 1942, and finally back to Enugu in 1951 where it has remained as Bigard Memorial Seminary,” he said.
He explained that seminary was named Bigard to honour Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard, the mother and daughter foundresses of the Opus Sancti Petri Apostoli society, which funded the building of the seminary.
Speaking on the 100 years anniversary, the Chairman Planning Committee, Rev. Fr. Kelvin Udenwagu, said the event was going to be a great and unique one as it would be a reunion of the people that passed through the seminary in the past 100 years.
He listed the activities to mark the event to include inaugural Mass, inauguration of academic year and award to distinguished students, cultural event, Biblical quiz, symposium, football match and dance.
The clergyman added that the celebration would begin on Nov. 10 and end on Nov. 21.
The highlight of the conference was a media facility tour that included the new student hostels built by Ikpenwa. (NAN)
CRIME
Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.