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CAN Seeks Collaborative Efforts To End Violence
The Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Bauchi State has called for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders, to end the spate of violence in the country.
An official of Bauchi CAN, Rev Lawi Pokti, who made the call recently in Bauchi when he paid Christmas homage to Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi, said the situation was creating instability and fear across the country.
He said that government should collaborate with traditional and religious leaders to find lasting solution to “this intractable havoc caused by a handful of elements”.
The clergy, added that no religion permits its followers to engage in bloodshed and destructions, as been carried out by some zealots within and outside the country.
He said that Nigerians must put their trust in God, continue to pray for His favours and protection, so that the country would overcome its current travails.
Pokti, however, commended the Bauchi government for the measures taken at ensuring a crisis-free Christmas festivity in the state.
“Despite the crisis in the country, we in Bauchi have the full assurance of our safety and are happy for this. The government has shown clearly that it cares for our welfare and safety and we are grateful for this.”
Responding, Yuguda, assured people of the state that the government would continue to protect their lives and property.
He said that the administration was committed to the freedom of expression and worship as enshrined in the constitution, adding that no one would be stiffled in the discharge of religious obligations.
‘’While assuring you of the commitment of the state government to the freedom of worship and association, I will like to appeal for your continued support, understanding and cooperation in our effort to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.’’
In a related development, Rev. Shuaibu Byal of the state Christian Welfare Board, has also condemned the spate of bombings that rocked the country on Christmas day.
He said that the incident was not only destabilising but capable of straining the cordial relationship that exists among Nigerians of goodwill.
Byal, who stated this when he paid homage to the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, urged Nigerians to intensify prayers for peace and unity in the country.
Responding, the emir assured that the Emirate Council would continue to engage all religious groups, so as to engender trust and understanding in the community.
Adamu said that he would build on the foundation laid by his late father, by continuing to relate with Muslims and Christians on the basis of equality and respect.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.