The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged Nigerians to be hopeful that the country would overcome its present challenges.
The president of the association and co-chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, made the call yesterday in his Easter message to all Nigerians, titled ‘Nigeria will rise again.’
“Fellow Christians and Nigerians, the situation in the country today looks very gloomy. There seems to be nothing to celebrate because of unimaginable insecurity.
“Despite the efforts of the government to arrest the situation, the scope of insecurity keeps expanding, to our consternation. In addition to insecurity, there are other challenges, such as mass unemployment, industrial disharmony, especially that of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), just to mention a few,” Ayokunle stated.
He, however, said that despite the challenges, there were still reasons to celebrate.
“If Jesus died and was buried, putting his disciples in the greatest state of disappointment and sorrow, but afterwards rose from the dead, then Nigeria is going to be great again,” he prayed.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo has called on the people of the state, especially aggrieved residents to shun violence and embrace peace.
He pleaded that it was about time they turned a new leaf to prevent the state from slipping into a killing field where the blood of innocent residents flow freely.
The governor made the plea in his Easter message to the people in which he re-echoed his call on sponsors and perpetrators of violence to sheath their swords and give a chance for reconciliation.
He also apologised to those who feel offended by any of the policies or actions of the state government under his leadership.
In the spirit of the Easter season, Governor Uzodimma urged such persons to go through the proper legal channels to lodge their grievances.
He gave an assurance that the government would look into them and ensure all efforts to resolve them to ensure peace returns to the state.
According to the governor, it is important for the people to embrace peace for the sake of their children and their unborn children even as violence is alien to their culture.
He wished the people a happy Easter celebration and urged them not to relent in their prayers for peace in Imo and other states across the country.
Read the full text of Governor Uzodinma’s message below:
It is with a profound sense of joy and gratitude to Almighty God that I send my warm felicitations to all the good people of Imo State on this auspicious occasion of the 2022 Easter celebration.
Given the many challenges we passed through between last year’s Easter and now, we should all be joyful and grateful to the Lord who has protected us and given us the opportunity to see this year’s Easter celebration. To the glory of God, we all weathered the storm and are here to join billions of Christians across the globe to joyfully shout “Hallelujah, Christ is risen”.
While we shout hallelujah and celebrate Easter, we must also reflect on the true meaning of Christ’s resurrection for Christians and for all of humanity. Often, we concentrate on the religiosity of the season without the necessary appreciation and deeper understanding of what Jesus Christ demonstrated by dying on the Cross.
As we know, Jesus had the power to refuse or reject death. Remember, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and healed many sick people. Therefore, He had the power to say no to death. Instead, He chose to die for our salvation – Just to save us from our own sins. This is love beyond measure, and the Holy Bible records it as the greatest love of all time in John Chapter 3 vs. 16: ‘‘for God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son so that everyone one who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life “This is sacrifice beyond understanding.
Easter, therefore, offers us the opportunity to rethink the essence of our humanity. As clearly defined by Jesus Christ, the essence of our humanity is to love God, to love one another, and to be ready and willing to make sacrifices for the love of humanity.
The Bible also reminds us that the best way to Love God is to love humanity. This is because if we do not love our brothers and sisters whom we see every day, we definitely cannot love God whom we do not see.
As we celebrate this year’s Easter we should ask ourselves these pertinent questions as Christians who profess the love of God: Do we truly follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ? Do we love our fellow human beings as Christ loved us or are we part of those spreading hate and violence against humanity? How much love have we shown to our state, Imo, and our country, Nigeria?
Can we give up our inordinate ambition for the sake of peace and stability of Imo State? Can we sacrifice our ego for the progress of Imo State and her people? Can we lay down our arms, not our lives, so that people can walk the streets freely in pursuit of their legitimate means of livelihood?
It is truly ironic and disheartening that over ninety percent of both the actors and sponsors of insecurity in Imo State and indeed all over Igboland, claim to be Christians.. Are these Christians the true followers of Christ? Do they even remember the 5th commandment which says; “Thou shalt not kill”? The answer should be obvious,
Let us, therefore, use the occasion of this Easter celebration to purge ourselves of those acts that at best make us hypocrites and at worst enemies of Christ. My brothers and sisters, having gone through the period of lent when we were expected to sanctify ourselves for Christ through fasting, prayers, and almsgiving, it behooves on us to soberly reflect on our contributions to the growth of Christian love which we profess and to the peace of our state.
Are we part of the problem or part of the solution? Are we responsible for the raging insecurity claiming the lives of innocent people or are we assisting Government to halt the carnage? Are we in a position to help reduce the menace of insecurity in the state?
In several fora, I have literally gone on my knees to appeal to the sponsors and perpetrators of these senseless killings to sheath their swords and embrace peace and reconciliation irrespective of whatever grudges they may have. I have also asked for forgiveness from anyone who feels offended by any of the policies or actions of the Government of Imo State which I lead currently.
In the spirit of the Easter season, I would like to repeat this appeal for forgiveness, peace and reconciliation in our state. Heaven will bear me witness that I have always placed the welfare of the people of Imo State above other considerations while taking decisions as Governor of Imo State. It is also on record that I have gone to very great lengths to provide succour to many citizens of the state who were aggrieved by some of the actions of my predecessors.
As peace-loving people, I appeal to you to follow the proper channels to lay down any complaints you may have. As I have done before, I promise to look into these complaints and make all efforts to resolve them to the best of my ability. I am using the period of Easter which symbolises peace, brotherliness, forgiveness, reconciliation, love, and sacrifice to appeal to everyone to embrace peace for the sake of our children and their unborn children.
Violence is alien to our culture. Let us do away with it. How will our forebears – Chief K. O. Mbadiwe, Dee Sam Mbakwe, Chief Evan Enwerem, Chief Collins Obi, Chief R. B. K. Okafor, and Chief H. S. K. Osuji be feeling in their graves? Will they be pleased to see that the state they handed over to us has become a killing field where the blood of innocent women, children, and men now flows freely like the blood of animals?
On behalf of my family and the Government and the people of Imo State, I wish everyone a happy Easter celebration. Let us never relent in our prayers for peace in Imo Stateand Nigeria. I am confident that the peace we seek is within reach and with peace, the sky will be our limit.
May God Almighty kindly grant our prayers for peace and prosperity in Imo State. Amen.
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested 32 suspects for kidnapping, killing, armed robbery, defilement and cultism.
Parading the suspects at the command headquarters yesterday, the police said 30 live arms and ammunition were also recovered from the suspects.
Spokesperson for the command, Superintendent of Police (SP) Benjamin Hundeyin, told newsmen that the arrest was part of efforts to tackle crime and criminality in the last one month.
He said two cars, 16 inverter batteries, six modules, cables, three ATM cards, four sim cards and four phones were also recovered from the suspects.
Hundeyin, said the suspects were arrested following an intelligence and detailed information on their activities, stressing that some of them were ambushed during an operation and had been on wanted list following previous robbery in 2021.
He added that one of the suspects, Obiora Igboagu, was arrested for killing one Pedrom Akinbiyi with a stone in March and would be charged to court soon.
Also, the police have arrested one Mr. Benjamin Nkemakolam Ogudoro, for allegedly setting his Scotland-based wife and her only brother ablaze shortly after she returned to Lagos.
Nkemakolam allegedly set them ablaze on April 1 at about 3:30 a.m. after a quarrel at House 5, Zone 7, Oteyi Garden Estate Abule-Ado, Lagos.
He told newsmen that the incident was an accident as he could not recall what caused the fire.
“She didn’t tell me she was returning to Nigeria that very day. She just called suddenly to say she’s around. I was even thinking she wanted to surprise me. So, when she came, I went outside to drink some bottles. When I returned, I discovered that the room where she was with her brother was bringing out fire, before I collapsed and was also rushed to the hospital. That was all I can remember,” he said.
One Benedict Ahieze was also arrested for smashing the head of his one- month-old baby on the floor after a little quarrel with his wife.
Ahieze told newsmen that it was not intentional as the baby slipped off his hand and landed on the floor during a conversation with his wife.
Other suspects arrested by the Command are Uchenna Daniels, who kidnapped 22- year-old Miss Hannatu Kabri in Abuja and was hiding in Lagos, Tijani Abubakar for stabbing one Nasiru Zari in Agege are of Lagos and Odii Ifeanyi, for allegedly killing one Okoh Awoh with a wheel spanner.
A cleaner to a Japanese in Nigeria, Mr. Sosoguto Theodore, was also arrested for conspiracy after robbing his boss of about N2.7million at gunpoint in Ikoyi.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi , has assured Lagos residents that security of life and property will continue to remain a priority
Minister For Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, on Saturday, said he would unveil his journey to the presidency on Tuesday.
Ngige said that he had consulted with both mortal and immortal people and would disclose his position on the 2023 presidency after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ngige gave the hint at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu while responding to a request from a pressure group under the aegis of the South East Progressive Forum who stormed the airport and asked the minister to contest the presidency in 2023.
“This is an ambush. It’s an Easter ambush and anything done in Easter is spiritual. So I thank you people for meeting us here and saying what is in your mind. Make no mistake about it. It is us in the southern part of Nigeria that the presidency is due for. It’s also true, a truism that of all the zone in the Southern Nigeria that is only the South East zone that has not tasted the presidency.
“So, that gives much weight to the demand you are making now. Yes, in PDP, they are considering whether it will be North or South. No, in our own, as gentlemen we have already agreed in South.”
The former governor of Anambra State explained that he waited till after spiritual season of lent to enable him consult God in order not to make mistakes before declaring his intention about the presidency.
“In December 31, 2021 I told a group that after the spiritual season of lent, I will consult with my God and Angel and Arch-Angels. Easter is tomorrow and Easter is a resurrection day. We shall rise with the resurrection and after Easter Monday, I will make a pronouncement on my journey to the presidency.
“So we have done the consultation with mortal and immortal people and we are going to speak but make no mistake again, anything to be shared, if it is seven, it should be shared equally. If you collect first, collect second and collect again without others collecting, that’s where the problem comes.”
While commending the group for believing in him, Ngige said “I am inviting you on Tuesday to Alor, in Idemili South, that’s where I am going to unveil my intention for the Presidency.”
On the possibility of the South East aspirants presenting a consensus candidate, Ngige said, “the issue of consensus candidate has not arise now. You have to wait untill when all the declarations have been made. Not only the declaration, the buying of forms, when the forms have been bought and expression of interest. That is the official first step on declaration.
“So, after declaration of interest the people will buy the forms and fill, some people will buy form for some people too but that’s when the question for consensus will arise. So until we get to that bridge, we will cross it.”
Speaking earlier, leader of the group Comr, Tony Chime, said the call for Ngige to contest for the number one post of the country was predicated on his track record in governance.
Chime said that though so many people have queued for the position, however, none of them have meet their criteria for the position other than Ngige.
“We know the good things you have done in the south East and Nigeria in general. Our appeal is that you should come and contest for the President of Nigeria.
“We know that there are too many people queueing up for this position, but we have screened them individually and collectively, but we have not found the material we needed, hence we are here to appeal to you our brother, father and son to come and deliver us from the problem we are having in this country.”
Former Senate President David Mark has urged the federal government to seek fresh ideas to solve the perennial security challenges facing the security.
In an Easter message on Saturday, Mark noted that recent setbacks in curbing security has call for the need for other stakeholders to input ideas on how the menace can be solved.
“The present administration needs to open doors for fresh ideas as is not the exclusive preserve of government to find solutions to our challenges. It is not about political party, religious or ethnic affiliations but about the survival of our nation.”
In a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Mumeh, Mark enjoined Nigerians to reflect and review the tortuous journey to nationhood with a view to reversing faulty steps in order to achieve a prosperous, secured and guaranteed future.
“It’s a disservice to humanity to pay lip service to the challenges or pretend that all is well when the socio economic and political life of the nation is almost in comatose.”
“Every right thinking member of the society should be worried about the state of the nation and twist of events in the reverse order. We need to pause and ponder about the state of the nation and find solution going forward.”
“Those in positions of authority should be honest enough to admit that things are wrong and be prepared to lead the way towards finding solutions. I believe we can fix Nigeria again if we resolve to work together in an atmosphere of honesty and mutual respect for one another.”
While praying for peace , reconciliation and forgiveness in the spirit of Easter, he urged religious leaders across the divide to always preach the message of peace, hope and harmonious relationship between and among adherents.
The apex socio-political youth group in the South East geopolitical zone, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL), has commends the Senator representing Abia North at the red chamber and Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, for attracting 53 roads projects to his Constituency and other projects which they say have alleviated the suffering of the people and added value more value to their lives.
COSEYL says the quality and result oriented representation of Senator Kalu has proved that he is a goal-getter and a good manager of human resources whose interest in governance is to put smiles on the faces of his people.
The Coalition in a statement signed by its national president, Hon. Goodluck Ibem expressed displeasure that politicians elected to represent their people at the National Assembly go there to represent them themselves and their personal interests abandoning those who elected them to their own faith, appealing to them to take a cue from Sen. Kalu former Governor of Abia State.
COSEYL says Senator Kalu has proved himself as a good ambassador of the people who can be trusted to deliver the goods, adding that he has indeed proved his mettle in governance and deserves commendation from all and sundry.
The release added, “Some of the projects commissioned include the Agbaja Nkporo road (7.5KM) in Ohafia LGA, Uturu road (2 KM) in Isuikwuato Local LGA, Obi Chima road (2 KM) in Isuikwuato LGA, Umu Imenyi road (2KM) in Bende LGA and Amankalu Alayi road (2 KM) in Bende LGA.
“Other projects attracted by our distinguish Senator include three Boreholes in Agbaja, Amuri and Enugwu Nkporo in Ohafia LGA and 4 KM Ukwu Rubber Amaokwe-Item road and another road at Igbere in Bende LGA.
“The successful execution and completion of these laudable projects within three years of representation by Senator Kalu is a clear testament that he is not in the Senate to make noise, but for a serious business which is to better the lives and well-being of his people.
“We thank Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for not behaving like some Senators who will tell their constituents that the are not in the Senate to attract projects but only to make laws. But when these same Senators discover that their people have uncovered their deceitful nature and it is backfiring on them, the will share one or two transformers and put few street lights as their democracy dividends for their long years of representation.
“Senator Orji Kalu has indeed changed the narrative and shown to the people that the is more to lawmaking. Abians are indeed proud of him. We urge him to keep up the good work .
“We call on other Senators and lawmakers who have been deceiving their people, telling them that the is no projects given to their constituency to desist from such pranks and turn a new leave by emulating the dynamic Senator representating Abia North senatorial district and learn from him.
“We urge Senator Kalu to please organise tutorial lessons for those Senators and lawmakers who are only telling stories to their constituents year-in, year-out so that they can change for good. Enough said!”
Udinese defender Destiny Udogie has opted to represent Italy on the international stage at the expense of Nigeria, reports said.
Udogie was born in Italy, but he is of Nigerian descent.
The youngster is currently on loan at Hellas Verona from Udinese.
“I was born in Italy, so I feel more Italian. I grew up playing with the young players in Italy, so I want to continue with Italy,” Udogie told the Italian Football Podcast.
“I hope to reach the first team and play as many matches as possible.”
Despite his young age, Udogie believes he will soon break into the Italian national team.
“Of course, it is my ambition to make it to the senior team,” Udogie responded when asked if his age will hinder his target to play for Italy.
“I just have to do my best in every game so I can show him [Roberto Mancini] my qualities and it is a big ambition I hope to be able to reach.”
A former governor of Kano State and one-time Minister of Defence, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is set to declare his interest to run for the office of the President in the 2023 general election.
The declaration is slated for next week after the Easter holidays.
According to Kwankwanso, he is declaring his intention to vie for the office of the President in 2023 because both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have failed Nigerians.
Speaking with journalists at his Abuja residence on Friday night, Kwankwaso said Nigerians were angry over the current state of the affairs of the country and were seriously seeking for a true change in the way things are done.
“I have been consulting widely with friends and Nigerians of diverse interests and the outcome has been positive. I will be informing Nigerians of my political ambition sometime early next week,” Kwankwanso said, adding that members of APC are all strange bedfellows whose ideologies have no similarity.
“The 2023 election will be between those who are happy with what has happened and those who want change. We are not happy or satisfied with what is happening and we want to change it. The system is not working and everyone knows it,” he added.
On insecurity, the former minister of defence criticised the APC-led government, stating that President Muhammadu Buhari has not shown enough commitment and courage towards strengthening the capacity of the security agencies to be able to subdue the criminal elements tormenting the country.
“How did we get here? The government should be more serious about security. As a former Minister of Defence, I never thought insecurity will ever be this low in this country within this short period of time. How did we find ourselves in this mess? What actually happened?
“‘Our issues in this country have to do with the leadership. When the political leadership is not strong enough to motivate the military, and ensure they are taken care of in terms of training and retraining as well as provision of equipment, arms and ammunition to match the bandits.
“Nobody is talking about rescuing people and the killings and abductions continue to happen again. So, I believe the government has to do more. We are so worried, and I believe security is one of the areas we will handle with utmost competence so Nigerians can be free again to pursue their daily businesses. We want the military and other law enforcement agencies to tackle insecurity,” Kwankwanso stated.
Leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of North Central APC Forum have reaffirmed their commitment and support for the presidential bid of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, in next year’s general elections.
Speaking in Jos, the Plateau State capital, the forum’s chairman, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, said the declaration of their support for Amaechi, after making public his ambition, was in view of his sterling qualities and capacity to take the nation to a greater height if elected president.
“Even though our initial quest was to ensure that someone from the region emerges as the next president, but now, it may be impossible, particularly from our party (APC) perspective with the emergence of the party national chairman from the region and the zoning of the presidency to the south.
“But having carefully studied the presidential aspirants from our party, we have decided to settle for Amaechi, who declared his presidential aspiration in Port Harcourt last Friday, because of his quality and strength of character.
“His achievements are laudable and generally beneficial to the people. That is why we have decided to give our support to him as the next and right person to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari come 2023,” he said.
He said Amaechi is a detribalized Nigerian and a friend of all the regions in the country, saying someone like him was needed at this time in the country’s history.
He called on political party leaders and the electorates to always support a man who will unite the country, improve security, boost the economy and revitalize all the key sectors of the nation.
Human rights activist and lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has faulted the state pardon granted to former Governors of Plateau and Taraba, Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame respectively.
The former governors, who were jailed for corruption, were pardoned alongside 157 others at the Council of State meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.
Speaking during the one year remembrance programme for the late Publicity Secretary of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Yinka Odumakin, Falana described the release of the politicians as discriminatory.
Falana stressed that it was wrong to grant state pardon to the two of them who were convicted for stealing state funds.
He said under the 1999 constitution, there is equality for all citizens, adding that the state pardon has to be extended to all thieves and criminals serving jail terms in various prisons.
Falana said, “My reaction is that all criminals, all thieves and criminals in our prisons should be released.
“Because section 17 of the constitution says there shall be equality, equal rights for all citizens and section 42 said there shall be no discrimination on the basis of class, gender, whatever, so you can’t take out two people and leave the rest there. It’s illegal.”
He said he might be forced to ask lawyers whose clients are still in prison to go to court and challenge the discriminatory treatment.
At the event attended by prominent personalities including the leader of the Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Presiding Pastor of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Pastor Tunde Bakare, among others, the pro-Democracy activists reiterated their call for genuine restructuring, saying the struggle for restructuring is a struggle for freedom.
Falana suggested that the 1999 constitution should be referred to as decree 24 on 1999 as “it was not duly signed.”
He said: “What the National Assembly has continued to do is to amend illegality. The so-called 1999 constitution is really decree 24 of 1999. When you see the so-called constitution, you will not the signature of the man who signed the law, that’s the fraud.
“When you see a law, the name of the person who signed it should be there with the date.
“Decree 24 of 1999 was promulgated by General Abdulsalam Abubakar on the 5th of May 1999 but today you will not see his name on it. It’s a fraudulent document.
“The decree was imposed on us the last set of military dictators in Nigeria headed by Gen. Abubakar and because that document is okay for members of the ruling class regardless of their political parties, ethic regional or religious inclination, they are all comfortable with the document so they can’t do anything about it including all those we are campaigning today to be President.
“It is to retain the status quo and perhaps adjust it here and there, that is the only thing they are saying, so those who are contesting particularly on the platform of the ruling party are saying we are going to continue the programme of the Buhari administration that has put our country in problem.
“Nigeria has become a huge joke in the committee of nations and so for any set of people to say they want to package his rickety vehicle and begin to panel beat it, it’s not going to move.”
The people of Ebem Ohafia Ancient Kingdom have rolled out warm tributes to Hon. Chief Ibe Okwara Osonwa, Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in...
