Religion
FCTA Tasks Clergymen in Fight Against COVID-19
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
Federal Capital Territory Administration,, has tasked clergymen in Nigeria to support the government in the fight against the global novel Coronavirus pandemic.
The Chairman, FCT Task Team on Enforcement, Mr Attah Ikharo made the call during an enforcement exercise on Sunday in Abuja.
Ikharo, while preaching the danger associated with congregational prayers at this period, urged the clergymen to engage their members into worship through online and diverse social media platforms such as WhatsAPP, facebook and instagram.
Attah who was satisfied with the level of compliance by the FCT residents in some of the areas the team visited, rated the success at 96 percent.
He urged them to continue to collaborate with the government and report any worship center and social gathering within their vicinity that failed to comply with the stay at home directive by the government at this trying period.
” Well I think we went round most part of the metropolis, we went round Kubwa, Byanzhi, Gwarimpa and I think the compliance from my own point of view from the churches, I can put it at 96 percent which is total compliance.
“They all work closely with government, they all shot down worship center and so far so good, they are all home praying and doing their prayers. I think for compliance to me is very very high”, he reiterated.
The Chairman who addressed a community at Byanzhi in Kubwa, stressed that government is not banning Church or Mosque services for ever but it action was just for this trying period and was optimistic that very soon it will be over and people will go back to their live.
According to him, ” We have move round Abuja and all churches and Mosque are closed and the one that is opened is around this place. Please we are begging all of you, is your own area, so please, we are begging all of you, we are not saying any church or mosque is banned for ever, no. Now that we all know that we get problem, we all know Corona. Those of us who are Muslim, do ablution and pray in your houses and those of us who are Christian, make we sing praises prayer for our family and the country”.
In one of the worship centers the team visited in Byanzhi at Kubwa, a suburb of the FCT, ” Rhema Assembly Church”, the Pastor of the church, Pastor Prince Onyekachi and three other members were seen playing gospel music and engaging other members of the church at home through online worship.
While speaking to Journalists, Pastor Onyekachi who commended the government for taking such action noted that, government is after their health and that they don’t have any reason to disobey them.
” So this morning what you met here is not a church service. Most of the people you see here leave here which if you go in there you will see their bags and clothing. So we just came out to make sure we get to the rest members at home through social media which if I get my tablet and open it, you will see the messages that I sent to them this morning which we did from here”, he added.
It could be recalled that FCT is second in the country with recorded cases of 45 with one death after Lagos State which has recorded more than a hundred cases with two deaths.
Religion
No Rancour over Olubadan Stool – Makinde
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that there is no rancour over the ascension to the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, as being widely speculated.
Makinde stated this while hosting his deputy, Bayo Lawal, and Muslim faithful within the government who paid him an Eid-el Firtri homage at visited his Ikolaba residence on Wednesday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the nomination of the next Olubadan has been enmeshed in controversy since the death of Oba Lekan Balogun on March 15.
NAN also reports that a meeting of the Obas-in-council, to be presided over by Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, had been fixed for Thursday, where the nomination of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is expected to be ratified.
The meeting was scheduled few hours after a peace meeting initiated by some Ibadan elders, with Ladoja promising to withdraw the case instituted in court against the elevation of his fellow high chiefs to obaship status.
A new twist to the obaship controversy, however, emerged on Tuesday when the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, declared that the Olubadan-designate, Olakulehin, was not medically fit to ascend the throne.
The governor, however, warned those whose stock-in-trade was to look at things that will divide the state and its people to look for something else to do.
Rather, he said that they should focus on things that would enhance unity in the state.
Although Makinde said that the Ibadan Obas-in-Council had yet to meet on the nomination of the next Olubadan, he, however, added: “When they eventually make their nomination, they will come to me and I will either say ‘Yes’ or ‘No”.
He also seized the opportunity to call on the people of the state to come out en masse to vote during the local government election, slated for April 27.
The governor assured the residents of the state that the outcome of the council election would reflect their wishes.
He equally urged Muslims to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan in their respective daily activities.
Earlier, the deputy governor, who led the state government’s delegation to the Eid praying ground at Agodi, implored all Muslim faithful to sustain the peaceful and harmonious co-existence being enjoyed in the state.
In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Ibadan land, Sheikh Abubakar Agbotomokekere, enjoined all Muslims to sustain abstinence from all vices, as they did during the Ramadan period.
Agbotomokekere called on the residents of the state to support government with prayers for the growth and development of the state and the country as a whole. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Religion
Easter: ACCI President Calls for National Unity to Empower Business Growth
The President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Mr Emeka Obegolu, has urged Nigerians to build a united nation, where business community can thrive and contribute to national development.
Obegolu said this in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja to celebrate 2024 Easter festivities.
He called on the government and relevant stakeholders to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Reports that Easter, also known as Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a significant Christian festival.
It is celebrated to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after his crucifixion on Good Friday.
This festival represents the triumph of life over death and encompasses the crucifixion, burial, and subsequent resurrection of Christ.
Obegolu urged entrepreneurs and business owners to seize the opportunities presented by Easter to recommit themselves to excellence and innovation in their respective fields.
He reiterated the importance of supportive policies, infrastructure development and access to finance for sustainable business growth.
Obegolu also stressed the significance of fostering collaboration and partnerships among businesses, encouraging networking, knowledge-sharing and joint initiatives.
“By doing so, a solid foundation can be established for economic progress and job creation, ultimately contributing to national development.
“On behalf of the Executive Council and members of ACCI, I extend warm wishes for a joyful and blessed Easter celebration to all Nigerians.
“And l encourage everyone to embrace the true spirit of Easter, characterised by love, forgiveness and hope, as we work together towards building a prosperous and united nation. (NAN)
Religion
Pope Calls for Joy, Hope at Easter Vigil Celebration
Pope Francis called on the faithful to rejoice and hope in spite of the personal and global political crises at the celebration of the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
These crises are “boulders of death,” the head of the Catholic Church said in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Specifically, he mentioned the ruthlessness of hatred and the cruelty of war, which break the longing for world peace, but also selfishness and indifference.
The 87-year-old said Easter would roll away those boulders.
Around 6,000 people attended the celebration to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in St. Peter’s Basilica.
According to Francis, Easter should encourage people and give them hope: “This is the power of God: the victory of life over death, the triumph of light over darkness, the rebirth of hope in the midst of the ruins of failure.
”After Holy Week, the Easter Vigil is a cause for joy, he said.
“Sister, brother, may your heart burst into joy on this holy night!” the pontiff said in his homily.
On the night before Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death on the cross.
At the beginning of the celebration, the Easter candle was carried through St. Peter’s Basilica in a procession in complete darkness – the darkness is intended to symbolise life without faith.
The candles of the priests and faithful were then lit from the Easter candle to the cry of “Lumen Christi,” Latin for the “Light of Christ.”
During the celebration, Francis baptized eight adults: four Italians, two South Koreans, a Japanese man and a woman from Albania.
The pontiff performed the ceremony sitting down.
Francis read his sermon himself, but his voice was hoarse.
On Good Friday, he had surprisingly decided not to take part in the Stations of the Cross service in order to preserve his health.
On Sunday, he plans to preside over the Easter Mass and give the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, Latin for to the city and the world. (dpa/NAN)