News
Re-Launch Of Children Evangelism Ministry Excites Banigo
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo has said that the re-launch of the Children Evangelism Ministry (CEM) was timely and awesome.
Banigo stated this during the re-launching of the Children Evangelism Ministry (CEM), Rivers State Chapter in Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
She said the challenges of ministering the gospel these days to children was as real as it was in the days of our Lord Jesus Christ, noting that parents and caregivers must bring children closer to God by introducing the word of God early to them.
“How can the children be taught of the Lord, if they do not hear the word of God. Romans 10:17 says for faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God”, Banigo stressed.
The deputy governor identified the lack of attention by parents, caregivers, and religious leaders to children as responsible for the social vices bedevilling our nation, wondering why some children and youths take to social vices.
“Why do you think we have so much insecurity in our nation, who are the perpetrators of violent crime, banditry, and kidnapping; youths, children, who we adults have allowed to lose their peace, children who have gone into drugs, ritual killings, and internet fraud”, she further stressed.
The deputy governor, insisted that the churches must help to develop the children’s ministry, by providing instructional materials, like Sunday school manuals, Bibles, Christian books and Journals, noting that individuals could also donate to the children’s ministry.
She thanked the Almighty God for giving CEM the vision to do the re-launch, knowing that the Holy Spirit would do the rebirth.
In his remarks, the General Overseer of the Royal House of Grace International Church, Apostle Zilly Aggrey, said in the next 20 years, if the Nigerian church fails to invest in what CEM was doing to raise the quality of children that would still fly the banner of Jesus Christ, “our big church buildings might become warehouses.
“Let us sit down and collaborate with this so that in the evening of our lives we can still see people who will share the unadulterated word of God”.
He expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for those who did not let the fire go down, concerning this vision, stressing that the word re-launch was apt because there has to be a shift for us.
“Europe is gone it will take the move of the Holy Spirit to get back Europe for Christ; the knowledge of God is gone. The reason may be that at a time, the church over there failed to do what CEM is calling us to do here in Nigeria”.
Also speaking, Prof. Barine Fakae, disclosed that this generation seems to have changed, which necessitated the re-launching, adding that he was one of those who campaigned on the role of ICT in education and the Christian ministry.
He said, “Now we are having children, we need to train. They are digital natives, while we are digital immigrants, we have to migrate to know their language, God’s word is relevant to all generations and we have to make sure that we preach it in a way that does not sound foreign. In which case I think retraining is very important”.
In his welcome address, the National Director, Children Evangelism Ministry, Nigeria, Evan. Eje Michael Ogo, said it was a gathering to celebrate the faithfulness of God, and a wakeup call to remind all and sundry of the very important assignment we owe humanity as a whole.
According to him, since the inception of CEM in 1979, it has developed innovative training programmes that have produced dynamic, resourceful, and skilled children evangelists who were doing exploits for the Lord in different denominations across the world.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.