News

Valentine’s Day, Ash Wednesday Celebrations Generate Mixed Feelings

Published

8 years ago

February 14, 2018

The observance of Ash Wednesday and celebration of Valentine’s Day today has generated mixed feelings among a section of Nigerians.
It would be recalled that Ash Wednesday is the ceremony to commence the Lent which entails fasting and abstinence from eating meat while Valentine’s Day is a day set aside to celebrate Love.
The two celebrations coinciding on February 14, 2018, has generated discussions by people on the propriety to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the usual way or not.
A cross section of residents in Mararaba, Nasarawa State told newsmen yesterday, that the two events coinciding on the same day was something special.
A Catholic priest, Rev. Father, Eugene Irobmez said Nigerian churches should focus on Ash Wednesday, to mark the beginning of lent, the time of reflection and penitence.
According to Irobmez, the two events first coincided 60 years ago, when Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday were celebrated on the same day.
Irobemz said that the tradition of the church was that the Ash Wednesday surpassed every other day, because it was a day of obligation.
Irobemz explained that Ash Wednesday was the beginning of lent, an official day Christians fast, ask for forgiveness of sin and a day of soberness.
He, however, noted that Valentine could be celebrated any other day.
Meanwhile, some residents told newsmen that the coincidence in the double celebration was a setback, describing Ash Wednesday as a day of abstinence.
A resident said, Mr Tony David, “We are not allowed to eat meat that day and with the Valentine celebration of showing love, eating meats and drinking is the main thing.
“As a Christian, my religious obligation is supreme for me to make heaven. I will just sacrifice the love for meat this Valentine.
“However, I know that next year, Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s day will not fall on the same day,” he said.
A student of Nasarawa State University, Miss Maria Michael, said she would celebrate the Valentine’s Day in a special way in spite of the fact that it was the beginning of lent.
“I already know that Ash Wednesday is a day to remember that we are ashes and to ashes, we shall return, but eating good food to be alive is also necessary.
“I am going to eat chicken that day with my boyfriend because that is the only opportunity that my guy will take care of me in a special way”, she said.
Mrs Chioma Jude said that Ash Wednesday happens to be a day of fasting when you seek the face of God and ask for pardon.
Mrs Esther Daniel told newsmen “as for me, my husband and I will go and receive our Ash in the morning and later in the evening we will celebrate our Valentine’s Day because of the necessity,” she said.

News

Church Renders Free Medical Outreach, Others To Host Communities

Published

2 days ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

Some communities in Rivers State enjoyed significantly the All African Service Project (AASP) by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, humanitarian services in their Church’s stakes and districts in Nigeria.

The humanitarian services which was held on the 16th August this year is an annual event usually carried out by members of the church to assist their host communities at different locations of the church every year in Africa.

In Port Harcourt Nigeria, Port Harcourt South Stake, this year they did Zebra crossing in Borikiri, precisely at UPE junction, this is to drastically reduce accident.

In Bundu Ama, still in Port Harcourt South Stake, there was a massive turnout, as the church offered free medical test and provided free drugs for those that have malaria, High Blood Pressure and illnesses that was discovered.

They equally carried out free eye test and gave out glasses for those that also have eye problems.

In the process of the testing woman, named Mrs Anthonia Marshall, was perceived to have breast cancer , which the church was contemplating to refer her to hospital and ready to bear the cost if actually it was a breast cancer.

Apart from that, the Church further provided school uniforms and books for primary school children in Bundu Ama community.

Comprehensively over 300 persons benefitted from the free medical outreach.

Speaking, the President of Port Harcourt South Stake, Williams Igoniye, explained that Helping Hand is an initiative of the Church go West Africa Project where they provide services for host community.

” This is purely a humanitarian services rendered to our host communities all over West Africa, mostly where the church is located.

” This year in Port Harcourt South Stake, we able to carried out designing of Zebra crossing at UPE junction Borikiri, with the view to reduce accident and safety of human beings.

” We also carried out free medical outreach at Bundu Ama. My happiness was that people came out to take advantage of the services , as I speak to you over 300 persons benefitted from it.

Also, speaking, during the construction of the zebra crossing, a resident, Mr. Edet Okon, commended the church for job well done.

According to him, the zebra crossing will afford the elderly and children to cross the road safely, hence that road was one of the most busiest roads.

” I am really happy that church is carrying out such an important project that will help people living within the area.

” I will suggest that government train drivers on how drive on areas where there are zebra crossing”, Okon said.

The Community Development Committee (CDC chairman in Bundu Ama, Frank Oba, expressed joy over the services rendered by the Church and called on other churches and organisations to emulate them.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

Tinubu Hails By-Election Winners In 12 States, Commends INEC

Published

2 days ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated all the winners of Saturday, August 16, by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the hitch-free elections, mostly devoid of violence.

Following the results declared by INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 12 constituencies, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in two, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in one, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) won in one.

President Tinubu congratulated the new APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, for the emphatic first victory recorded under his leadership.

He also congratulated the APC governors and other leaders on the success of the by-elections.

“Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders,” the President remarks.

“To all APC faithful and the electorate, thank you for the confidence reposed in our party. Be assured that our Renewed Hope slogan is not a mere slogan. Our destination is a better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria. We shall take you there, by the Grace of God,” he said.

President Tinubu commended all the political parties and candidates who participated in the election and enjoined them to continue to be guided by the spirit of sportsmanship, fair contest and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.

News

RSG To Establish Emergency Management Agency

Published

2 days ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has disclosed its plan to establish the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency, which will take over the responsibilities of the Central Working Committee on Emergency Preparedness, Flood Management and Control.

The State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), revealed this during a sensitisation campaign of the Central Working Committee on Flood Management and Control at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, last Friday.

He explained that the government is engaging the Federal Government and international partners to mobilise resources for improved flood management systems, covering pre-flood measures, interventions during flooding, and post-flood recovery projects, as well as early warning infrastructure.

Ibas, in a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, last Friday, said the initiative forms part of the state’s proactive strategy to mitigate flooding through awareness, prevention, preparedness, and community participation.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, the Administrator urged the committee to go beyond responding to disasters and instead anticipate vulnerable areas, reduce the impact of flooding, and equip residents with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves.

He added that the State is enforcing environmental laws to curb indiscriminate refuse disposal, illegal dumping, and construction on flood plains, which worsen flooding incidents.

According to him, effective flood management requires collaboration between the public sector, local communities, civil society, and the private sector, as government alone cannot tackle the challenge.