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The Carnage Must Stop, Catholic Bishops Warn …200 Igbos Lost To Insurgency – Group
Muslims Shouted defend themselves – Imam Ripples of last Friday’s bomb blast at the Kano Central Mosque continued as the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigerian said that the blast was not only shocking but saddening. They also said that the senseless killing in the name of religion must stop.
In a statement signed by the Secretary of the Conference, Rev. Father Ralph Madu, the Catholic Bishops said that it was unfortunate and sad that the incident has added to the scores of painful conditions that have been inflicted on ordinary Nigerians by agents of darkness who claim to fight in the name of religion.
The Bishops, in condoling with the victims, said, “Our hearts bleed when we realize that the casualty figures of the dead have risen up to 120, not to talk of the increased number of those who sustained first degree injuries and are lying critically at various hospitals in Kano.”
They commiserated with the Government and People of Kano State for this monumental loss.
“While praying for the happy repose of the dead, our hearts go to the families of those who have lost their beloved ones. We equally pray for the quick recovery of those who are injured,“ they said.
Meanwhile, the Igbo Welfare Association, a socio-cultural association for indigenes of the five South eastern states residing in Borno State, on Saturday said Boko Haram activities had claimed the lives of over 200 Igbo till date.
The group also alleged that the ethnic group had suffered loss property worth millions of naira to the crisis, which started in 2009 and has yet to abate.
The President General of the association in Borno State, Chief group MaclawNwaogu, said this while delivering his speech at the inauguration of the new executive and award ceremony of IWA on Saturday in Maiduguri.
Nwaogu appealed to Governor KashimShettima to look into the plight of widows and orphans of Ndigbo and other non-indigenes, some of whom had had to leave the state but still carrying the burden of the loss of their breadwinners to the Boko Haram insurgency.
He also called on the governor to fulfill his promise of renovating the association’s hall, which was vandalised by the insurgents.
“In addition, we remain very appreciative when, in your first tenure, you offered us free transport in a season like this. Shortly after that, it’s like the security challenges have affected that gesture. However, with the cream of new Igbo leadership, we call on you to remember our numerous members, who want to travel home to spend this year’s Christmas.”
“It is pertinent to bring to your notice that internally displaced people of Igbo extraction are being catered for by Igbo Welfare Association. We are appealing to your government to help us remedy the situation,” the association president added.
The leader of the socio-cultural association promised to carry everybody along in managing the affairs of the group.
Also, the Council of Imams and Ulamas has call on the Federal Government and its security agencies to bring to an end the wanton destruction of lives and property going on in the country particularly in Kano, Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states and called,on Muslims to defend themselves.
In a statement signed by Sheik Usman Baba Tuni and Ustaz Yusuf Arrigasiyyu, Chairman and Secretary respectively and made available to the media over the weekend in Kaduna, the Council call on all Muslims where ever they are to protect themselves within the ambit of the constitution in the event the Federal Government failed in its responsibility of protecting them.
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced a N100 billion annual education support programme aimed at keeping financially vulnerable Nigerian students in school.
Speaking at the launch of the national scholarship scheme in Lagos, yesterday, Dangote said too many brilliant young people were being forced out of classrooms because of poverty.
He described education as the “strongest engine of social mobility” and a critical foundation for national development.
The initiative, funded by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will run for ten years beginning in 2026, costing over N1 trillion in total.
Dangote said the scheme would support 45,000 scholars each year at inception, expanding to 155,000 beneficiaries annually by its fourth year, and maintaining that level for the rest of the decade.
By 2036, he said, the programme is expected to have reached at least 1,325,000 students.
“We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people, not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience and leadership,” he added.
A major component of the fund is the Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars programme, which will provide annual scholarships for 30,000 undergraduate students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics in public universities and polytechnics.
Each beneficiary will receive tuition support aligned with the fees of their institution and course of study. Dangote said the goal is to expand access to higher education, empower innovation, and give young Nigerians the tools to compete globally.
“STEM drives development. If Nigeria must compete globally, our young minds must have the tools to learn, imagine and innovate,” he said.
