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Palm Sunday: Priest Urges Christians To Trust God
A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr Mathew Onyilo, has urged Christians and Nigerians to trust God for victory in whatever challenges they are passing through in life.
Onyilo, a Priest of the Abuja Archdiocese, made the call in his homily on Palm Sunday yesterday at the St Charles Lwanga Parish, Apo, Abuja.
The priest, who spoke on the theme: “I shall never be put to shame’’, urged Christians to learn from Jesus Christ who suffered and was victorious.
“Whatever difficulty you are going through, whatever challenge you are going through, whatever is making you shed tears because you have put your trust in God; you will never be put to shame.
“No one who places his trust in God can be forsaken; no matter the challenge you go through if only you remain committed to God, you will have the last laugh.
“If you go through fire, you will not be burnt; God will be with you, according to the Book of Isaiah 43 verses one to five.
“ God has not promised us that there will not be challenges.
“What God has promised us is that those things will not bring us down, those things will not ridicule us and those things will not put us in shame’’, he said.
The priest, however, urged Christians to keep faith in God saying, “God will always keep to His promises”.
“ He cannot lie to us; He will fulfil His promises if we keep faith in Him. So, see your challenges as a means for God to glorify Himself.’’
Onyilo, however urged Christians to obey God in face of difficulties and challenges.
Our correspondent reports that Christians celebrate Palm Sunday, the Sunday preceding Easter in remembrance of Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy Week, which is the beginning of the most holy of the sublime week of the Christendom because it contains the three most important days in the life of the Church.
The three important days are Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, according to the catholic faith.
Holy Thursday commemorates the institution of priesthood and institution of the Eucharist, the body of Christ while Good Friday commemorates the passion and the death of Christ.
Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the death.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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