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Ex-Minister Kicks Against Same Faith Presidential Ticket

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A former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the Mingi of Nembe Kingdom in Bayelsa State, King Edmund Dakoru, has kicked against Muslim-Muslim, or Christian-Christian presidential ticket, saying it is at variance with the spirit of justice, fairness and equity.
The monarch said choosing presidential and vice presidential candidates from the same faith was against the secular status of the country.
Dakoru stated this while speaking to aviation correspondents at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, on Wednesday.
According to him, those promoting the idea of same faith presidential ticket do not wish Nigeria well, adding that their action will further divide the country along religious fault lines.
He expressed doubt that Nigerians would want to vote any party that fields presidential candidates from the same faith.
“Nigeria is a multi-religious country of more than 200 million people who are Muslims and non-Muslims as the case may be.
“One can say that the country is owned by more than 200 million citizens who are of diverse religious groups and backgrounds.
“In order to be just to all the citizens of the country, and also to balance the apparent religious sentiments prevalent in the country, Nigeria’s politicians and its major political parties have avoided fielding same-faith presidential candidates since the present political dispensation from 1999.
“The combination of a Muslim and non-Muslim in a presidential ticket, in Nigeria of today, also gives vent to the spirit of justice, fairness and equity, and considering the fact that the country is for the Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
“I believe that both the religion of Islam and Christianity order the sincere administration of justice on all, regardless of any distinction, be it religious, ethnic, geographical, tribal, and so on.
“As a secular nation, we ought to always stand for justice as a matter of principle, whether for Christians, Muslims and others, even if justice should side against them”, he said.
The former minister also enjoined all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, to always show love for mankind, regardless of any social difference.
Meanwhile, the founder of the Royal House of Grace International Church in Port Harcourt, Apostle David Zilly Aggrey, has also opposed presidential ticket featuring same faith.
Speaking to aviation correspondents recently, Rev. Aggrey, noted that past Presidents in the country had always maintained a balance in the system for the Christian and Muslim ticket.
“We have a Mosque and a Chapel at the Presidential Villa, and either the President or the Vice had maintained either of them for worship and prayer.
“Choosing a Muslim-Muslim ticket will mean a deviation from what is ideal, and that means that the Aso Rock Chapel may be locked for four or eight years.
“If Ahmed Bola Tinubu feels he can neglect Christians, and choose a Muslim-Muslim ticket, no problem, let him go ahead with it, but Nigerians still have their choice to make”, he said.
Also reacting to this development while interacting with journalists at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, the Senior Pastor of WordLife Gospel Center, Israel Nnokam, said Nigeria is a multi-religious nation, with two dominant religions: Christianity and Islam, which reflect people’s political life.
Consequently, he said, Nigerians should be allowed to decide whether or not they will support a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023, rather than allow the issue to create tension in the polity.
Nnokam noted that as long as the process was democratic, people would be able to choose the candidate of their choice during the presidential election, scheduled to hold on February 25, 2023.
“There has been public disquiet over reports that the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, may pick a fellow Muslim as his running mate because the North, where he’s expected to choose from, is dominated by Muslims.
“Several individuals and groups, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), have kicked against Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket, saying it would not stand. But those in support of the move argued that competence should be placed above religious consideration.
“However, the political process is democratic and if it is so, the people will decide, except it is not (democratic).
“So, whatever any political party is projecting in terms of its candidates, the people would have to decide if that is acceptable to them or not.
“That is what democracy is all about. You won’t compel them to vote for a person they don’t want to. I don’t think it’s an issue. Let the people decide what they want. That is what the democratic process is all about.” he concluded.

By: Corlins Walter

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Eld Ogbu Bags Adventists Men Award…Pledge For Humanitarian Service

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A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.

Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.

Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.

 

Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.

Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.

In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more

He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.

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Rivers Landlords Petitions IG Over Alleged Move to Demolish Their Estate

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Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.

The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.

Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.

Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.

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NLNG, NCDMB Launch ICT Hub To Boost Tech Skills In Nigeria

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Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

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