News
Group Tasks FG On Security
The Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently take necessary steps towards arresting the rising wave of insecurity in different parts of the country. The Fellowship made this call at its National Executive Council meeting held in Benin City, Edo State over the weekend.
In a release signed by the Publicity Secretary, Hon. Dan Aigbavboa, the NCGF noted that most Nigerians, now live in fear, because of the unfathomable spate of kidnappings in Southern Nigeria and the gruesome murder of innocent citizens in the Northern part of the country, especially in Jos, Bauchi and Maiduguri.
The body expressed great worry over what it described as “camouflage destruction of lives and annihilation” taking place in Jos as well as the “sporadic explosions, unending assassinations and malicious arson in Maiduguri” and noted that the series of connected events were capable of undermining the nation’s democracy and its corporate existence as one indivisible country.
More worrisome, according to the Fellowship, was the deliberate destruction of churches by sponsored miscreants in some Northern states, an action which has largely infringed on the right of christians in the areas to worship their sovereign God. It equally expressed shock and disbelief that some unscrupulous persons could even go the extent of planting bombs in churches as recently reported in the media.
The Christian organisation, therefore, charged the federal government to address the unwholesome actions of wicked Nigerians even as it enjoined Government to thoroughly investigate the attacks and bring the perpetrators to book without fear or favour.
The NCGF, which is an inter-denominational body of mature Christians, also charged the nation’s security agencies to be more proactive in their operations in order to nip the acts of criminality in the bud, as the usual assurance by security chiefs after a crime had been committed that “those behind the incident would be arrested and prosecuted” had become clichés which serve no useful purpose.
The body, however, called on all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and learn to live at peace with one another irrespective of ethnic, religious or political disposition.
Ben-ose Ogbemudia, Benin
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
-
News10 hours agoStakeholders Tasks Fubara on recognition of Nwoga As Nzeobi of Egbema kingdom ….laud Tinubu for lifting Emergency in the state
-
Sports10 hours agoPalace End Liverpool’s Invincibility
-
Oil & Energy10 hours agoReps C’mitee Moves To Resolve Dangote, NUPENG Dispute
-
News10 hours agoChina sentences former Agric minister to death
-
Sports11 hours agoMakinde Expresses Readiness To Host Super Eagles
-
Niger Delta10 hours agoWarri Crisis: Oborevwori Sues For Peace
-
Politics10 hours agoExperts Want ECOWAS Parliament To Tackle Fake News
-
Sports10 hours agoMan Utd Lose, Again