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Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has declared that clergymen must continue to speak the truth to those in power, adding that silence means compliance.
According to him, it is wrong to keep quiet in the face of injustice, even if it attracts criticisms from politicians and those in government, noting that politics is for everyone and not just politicians.
The clergyman made this submission over the weekend while speaking at the inauguration of the Catholic Social Teaching, CST, programme at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, CSN, in Abuja.
He stressed that clerics must do the right thing at all times because it is part of their responsibilities.
“As Catholic Bishops, we are often interviewed and make powerful political statements. Nobody can stop us from doing that because it is part of our job. We have a responsibility to teach the right things, even if it means facing criticism from politicians.
“We cannot afford to remain silent in the face of injustice. Silence is complicity, and we must speak out against injustice wherever we see it.
“Whenever we speak nicely, politicians hail us, but when we criticize them and warn them that they are not doing well, they get angry with us, accusing us of dabbling in politics. But politics is not for politicians alone; it’s for everyone.
“We teach the right things, but it’s up to those concerned to take the teaching and work on it. We don’t have the facility to force politicians to do the right thing; we only have the word of mouth, our message.
“Even Jesus taught for three years, and it was the same people he taught who rallied around and crucified Him on the cross. They heard His message, but they didn’t take it. It’s the same today: those who listen to good wisdom will do well, and the people will profit from them,” the Emeritus Archbishop said
Former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, has alleged that the recent visit by certain prominent Northern politicians to former President Muhammadu Buhari was an attempt to undermine President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Naija News reports that the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday, visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State.
It was learnt that the two held a closed-door meeting in the company of some associates, including the immediate past governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, now a senator representing Sokoto South.
Similarly, former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, paid a visit to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State
In response to the recent visitation, Sani described the move as an effort to regroup Northern political forces for the next general election, predicting that it would ultimately fail.
Sani criticized the attempt to revive Buhari’s political influence and mobilize support, cautioning against stirring Arewa sentiment without regard for the potential chaos it could cause.
On his verified Facebook page, Sani remarked that Buhari, who led Nigeria for eight years, left the North in a worse state than he found it, and that it is too soon for people to forget this reality.
He wrote, “The recent visits by some prominent Northern politicians to Daura appear to be the usual Eid homage, but looking deeper and beyond the facade, it’s surreptitiously a new attempt to build a strong northern alliance using ex-President Buhari as a rallying point to challenge and evict President Tinubu’s government in 2027.
“It’s a regrouping of Northern political forces for the next general election. A project that will eventually kiss the dust.
“They want to resurrect Buhari’s political charm, fanaticism, and mobilize the gullible to another hollow and bewildering end. They want to stock up and light up the Arewa sentiment without considering the inferno it would eventually generate.
“By the time he left power, poverty and insecurity were at their peak more than at any time in Nigeria’s history.
“They had power and wasted it; what do they want to do with it again?”
Sani emphasized that a Southerner has been in power for just one year, and it is too early for Northern elites to start plotting.
He noted that the South did not undertake such actions against Buhari during his tenure. Sani warned that these efforts could destabilize Nigeria’s fragile unity and damage the democratic process.
He condemned the Northern politicians’ obsession with power, stating that opposition to Tinubu’s policies and administration is a democratic right, but inciting Northern sentiments for political gain is a perilous venture.
“A Southerner has been in power for just one year. It’s too early for the desperate and power-hungry northern elite to start plotting. The South never did that to Buhari. Their intended action has the capacity to ruin the democratic process and wreck the fragile unity of the country when the South is awakened to this reality.
“Their obsession with power is condemnable. Opposition to Tinubu from the point of policies, promises, and programs of his administration is a democratic right of any Nigerian. People have the right to speak and criticize the government.
“But attempts to whip up Northern sentiments to achieve their political ends is a dangerous political experiment and expedition at this material time. No serious southerner challenged Buhari for eight years; these power-drunk Northern politicians are dragging the region into a new political journey through a landmine.
“Buhari’s reign ensured nepotistic placement, installation, and dominance of Northerners at strategic positions of authority and power for eight years. Results had shown that they only enriched themselves, pillaged the economy of the country, and pauperized our country.
“The Daura homage of the disgruntled and the obsessed will fail. Our people in the North should reject these faces and their plots.
“They have nothing to offer. From the abandoned Baro Port, Ajaokuta, Lake Chad Basin refilling, and Mambilla hydropower, they failed. They came to power when the North was in the hands of terrorists and left it in the joint hands of terrorists and bandits. The Northern Talakawa should reject their antics,” he said.
The Lagos State Government has issued a 14 day removal notice to owners of buildings and structures at Sangotedo area of Lekki, Okota, and Isolo which were built on drainage channels.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab announced the development after an inspection tour to various contravention sites and on-going drainage enforcement projects in Ago Palace Way, Isolo, Sangotedo, Lekki and Ikoyi areas of the state.
He said that the government was committed to restoring sanity in the state.
According to him, “The era of environmental indiscipline and nuisance are over in Lagos. We will not shy away from enforcing all relevant laws irrespective of whose ox is gored.
“Lagos despite its peculiarities as a coastal state with low-lying terrains and a high population density among others has remained afloat because of various measures put in place by the government.”
Wahab, who said the ministry has strengthened its Drainage Enforcement activities said, “I tell people climate change is real and there is a cholera outbreak, We must know that all these things are Interwoven. We must all be responsible and responsive as a people, people cannot continue to brazenly abuse the environment and expect that there will be no consequences.
“At Sangotedo by Lagos Business School, a 48 hours contravention notice have been served to owners of buildings lying within the channels and 14 days abatement and when that elapses the law will take its course.
“We will commence full enforcement after the expiration of all notices with an option of voluntary compliance.”
![Woman Supplying Ammunition To Bandits Arrested In Katsina [PHOTOS]](/media/k2/items/cache/21635fce5d860d95e4c00497dec48725_M.jpg?t=20240624_113000)
A woman, Aisha Abubakar, has been arrested in Katsina State for allegedly transporting ammunition to terrorists.
The incident was reported on Monday by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama.
According to Makama, the ammunition was discovered during a routine search of Abubakar’s luggage.
“The authorities discovered the ammunition in her luggage during a routine search,” he stated.
The suspect initially denied any involvement in the illegal activity. However, Makama reported that she later admitted to her role in the operation.
“She initially denied involvement but later confessed to be transporting the ammunition to terrorist group from Nasarawa state,” Makama explained.
Further interrogation revealed more details about the intended destination of the ammunition.
Makama wrote, “During the course of interrogation, the suspect confesses that she was heading to Yan Tumaki in Dan Musa LGA in Katsina state.”
Makama further emphasised the significance of this arrest in the broader context of counter-terrorism efforts.
“The incident highlights the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and the importance of vigilance in preventing the proliferation of illegal weapons,” he said.
About 50 members of the House of Representatives across the six geo-political zones of the country, under the aegis of the Concerned Federal Lawmakers for Peace and Security in the South-East, have written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
They appealed to Tinubu to invoke Section 174 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The lawmakers elected on the platform of different political parties in a letter addressed to President Tinubu, dated June 19, 2024, urged the first citizen to commence a peace move to address the insecurity challenges in the South-East.
Some of the signatories of the three-page letter include Obi Aguocha (Abia), Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo), Afam Ogene (Anambra), Muhammed Jajere (Yobe), Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), Midala Balami (Borno), and Abiante Awaji-Inombek (Rivers).
Others are Dominic Okafor (Anambra), Etanabene Benedict (Delta), Abdulmaleek Danga (Kogi), Shehu Dalhatu (Katsina), Chinedu Martins (Imo), Matthew Nwogu (Imo), Peter Aniekwe (Anambra), Koki Sagir (Kano) and Amobi Oga (Abia) among others.
The IPOB leader had last week expressed his desire to have the treason charges filed against him by the Federal Government settled out of court.
He also denounced the killings in the South-East resulting from IPOB agitation for the separation of Igbo from Nigeria.
The lawmakers, in their letter, urged President Tinubu to mandate the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi to invoke his powers of nolle prosequi under the provisions of Section 174(1) of the Constitution and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and cause the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention and discontinue his trial.
They recalled that the President extended this gesture through the office of the Attorney General to activist Omoyele Sowore, who was charged with treasonable felony.
“Your Excellency, we are concerned members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a strong belief and trust that the Renewed Hope Agenda and the various positive reforms would be seen and felt by all. It is against this backdrop that we, the undersigned, hereby beseech Your Excellency to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, to invoke his powers of nolle prosequi under the provisions of Section 174(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and cause the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention and discontinue his trial.
“We collectively believe this is long overdue and would be instrumental in opening the door for much-needed conversations surrounding peace reformation and inclusivity, as well as addressing the issues that led to the agitations, especially at this time when Nigeria is going through several constitutional reforms.
“Your Excellency, we resolutely believe that this singular act can serve as a pivotal gesture towards national unity, as it would address some of the political, security, and economic concerns in the region. It would encourage stakeholders from the South-East to engage more actively in the national discussions on the renewed hope agenda, thereby promoting inclusivity and addressing long-standing grievances.
“This, we believe, will also help dismantle the apparatus of violence and restiveness that has plagued the region, allowing for a focus on economic growth and development. This comes at a time when the nation-state is under enormous pressure, including but not limited to unemployment, insecurity, hunger, and poverty, thereby de-escalating tension from all sides.”
Chioma Rowland has revealed that musician Davido threw a surprise bridal shower party for her.
This is as videos emerged from Chioma’s bridal shower on Sunday night and in one of the clips, the chef was captured narrating how her fiancé planned the party without her knowledge.
She explained that Davido lured her out of the house by telling her that they were going for a dinner date but it turned out to be her bridal shower.
She said, “Let me tell you a story. I know this is an event centre and David said we were going to eat.
“He was trying to get the exact location and when we got outside, he asked somebody something and I said, ‘This is not a restaurant. I’m hungry, I want to eat.’ Then I saw balloons, I just started screaming.”
Recall that Davido confirmed a few days ago that he and Chioma would have their wedding on June 25, in Lagos.
On Sunday evening, the Afrobeats star threw social media into a frenzy with the release of his pre-wedding photos with Chioma.
Davido had previously stated that attendance at his wedding was strictly by invitation.
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi said the exodus of multinational companies from Nigeria has cost our nation a staggering N95 trillion in the past five years.
Obi stated this in a statement via his X handle on Monday.
He expressed concern over the departure of over ten major companies in the last year alone, including GlaxoSmithKline, Equinor, Sanofi-Aventis, Bolt Food, Procter & Gamble, Jumia Food, PZ Cussons, Kimberly-Clark, and Diageo.
Obi stated, “I am compelled to address the alarming exodus of multinational companies from Nigeria, which has cost our nation a staggering N95 trillion in the past five years.
“According to The New Telegraph, in the last year alone, over ten multinational giants such as GlaxoSmithKline, Equinor, Sanofi-Aventis, Bolt Food, Procter & Gamble, Jumia Food, PZ Cussons, and Kimberly-Clark, Diageo and others, have exited Nigeria, citing eerily consistent reasons.”
Speaking on the nature of the issue, Obi said, “It is clear these issues are not coincidental but symptomatic of a larger governance problem.”
Meanwhile, Obi has called for action from the authorities, saying Nigerian leaders must address the trend of multinational companies leaving Nigeria.
He said, “The responsibility lies with our leadership, those we put in charge to urgently address these challenges.”
The former Anambra governor outlined areas for improvement, including creating a business-friendly environment, prioritising security, stabilising policies, and reducing energy costs.
He also stressed the importance of “cultivating a culture of transparency, accountability, and good governance.”
Obi further called for unity and transformation, saying, “Let us unite to transform Nigeria into a nation conducive to business, attractive to investment, safe and prosperous for all citizens.
Together, we can make Nigeria a beacon of hope and progress in Africa and the world.”
Recall that GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc had announced plans to shut down its operations in the country.
The announcement was disclosed in a press statement and filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited. It was signed by the Company Secretary, Frederick Ichekwai.
Similarly, Jumia Food, the food delivery service of the e-commerce company, Jumia Technologies, announced plans to shut down operations in Nigeria in December 2023.
Jumia said it will close its food delivery business in Nigeria and six other countries in which it operates by the end of the year to focus on growing its core online retail business.
Saudi Arabia has announced that 1,301 pilgrims died during this year’s hajj.
In an interview on Sunday, Fahd Al-Jalajel, the country’s minister of health, said 83 per cent of the 1,301 fatalities were unauthorised pilgrims who walked long distances in high temperatures to perform the hajj rituals.
The minister said 95 pilgrims were being treated in hospitals, some of whom were airlifted for treatment in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
“1,301 people died during the #Hajj1445 season. May Allah have mercy on them all, 83% of them are not authorised for Hajj, who walked long distances under the sun, without shelter or rest, including a number of elderly people and people with chronic diseases,” he said.
On May 26, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said Tawakaltu Alako, a Nigerian pilgrim, slumped and died in her hotel at Makkah.
Following this incident, NAHCON has reported many more deaths in this year’s hajj.
Abubakar Adamu, head of Nigeria’s medical team for 2024 Hajj, had told journalists on July 17, that one of the Nigerian pilgrims died due to heatstroke while on his way to Jamrate to perform the ritual of throwing stones.
Temperatures in Mecca this year climbed as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit).
Mohammed Al-Abdulaali, a spokesperson for the Saudi health ministry, had said that more than 2,760 pilgrims suffered from sunstroke and heat stress on July 16 alone.
An armed man has allegedly raped an 18-year-old girl in Adewumi village, Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State, on Wednesday evening.
The suspect, identified as Jelili Ogunbunmi, reportedly ambushed the victim and her boyfriend at gunpoint before committing the assault.
According to sources in the community, the victim, identified only as Blessing, was accompanied by her boyfriend, Daniel, when they were accosted by the gunman while on an errand to purchase soft drinks.
A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the suspect, armed with a dane gun, ambushed the couple along a bush path.
“They pleaded with Ogunbunmi to have mercy, but their pleas fell on deaf ears,” the source stated.
“He threatened to kill them both. Daniel fled the scene, leaving Blessing with the assailant.”
The source added that Ogunbunmi then allegedly dragged Blessing into the bush and sexually assaulted her after which he threatened to kill her if she called for help.
Following the incident, Daniel reported the matter to the police, leading to Ogunbunmi’s arrest.
Yemisi Opalola, spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, confirmed the incident to THE WHISTLER on Sunday evening.
Opalola said, “Ogunbunmi has been arrested and we recovered a dane gun he used to perpetrate the crime. The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.”
‘We Will Build A Beautiful One, Let The Devil Lick His Wounds’ – Pastor Chris Reacts To Fire Incident At Church Headquarters
AFOLABI
The General Overseer of Christ Embassy Church, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has spoken out about the fire outbreak that gutted the church’s building in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.
Recall that the Loveworld Convocation Arena (LCA), formerly the headquarters of Christ Embassy Church, was gutted by fire on Sunday morning.
In a message to his congregation, Pastor Chris, President of the Loveworld Nation disclosed at the ongoing International Cell Leaders Conference (ICLC) Sunday Service at the Church Camp Grounds in Asese, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, that the building is one of the best worship facilities.
“That’s the best worship facility, frankly, in this part of the world. It’s worth multiple millions of dollars,” he said.
Pastor Chris called on the Secretary General of Loveworld, Kay Adesina, to share his eyewitness account of the incident.
Adesina said: “It’s really, really messed up. We were not able to enter, but we could see from outside. I took some of the pictures. The whole of the interior was coated in fire. And everywhere inside actually collapsed, including the offices.”
He also noted that the fire services tried to put out the fire from outside, as they couldn’t enter the building.
“The fire services that were there, they saw that they couldn’t go in. So they tried to put out the fire from outside. But all, including the external wall, you see, all the walls are compromised.
“But the only reason why the whole structure is not compromised is because they are steel structures. Otherwise, you would think that the whole building would collapse. So it’s really in a bad state,” the Secretary said.
Pastor Chris however emphasized that the church is not defeated and will build an even more beautiful structure.
“We will build a beautiful one, let the devil licks his wounds. We must look at life from the spiritual.
“It is painful to watch such a thing happen. The place is filled with fire and smoke, they can’t even go inside.
“When a thing like that happens, you can say, oh Lord, why? You say, Lord, Thank you for your Grace from those very grounds,” he said.
The general overseer also referenced a past experience where the church faced a similar challenge, the Ikebukuro attack, and how they overcame it.
“I’ll never forget, when the supposed bombings took place at the Ikebukuro attack, they thought it was war.
“There were explosions at Ikebukuro, atomic. The sounds were so loud, the explosions were so loud. Many thought there was war. And they began to flee from all that area,” he recounted.
When asked if he was surprised by the fire outbreak, Pastor Chris said, “Not, not even the slightest surprise, not even the slightest surprise. But that’s another day’s talk.
“When something like this happens, we have to remember that we are not of this world.
“What do I mean by that? Every single day, God protects us. He protects us, He protects everything that He gives us, with His glory and His grace, every single day. He protects us.”
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but officials from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service are currently investigating the incident. Despite the physical damage, Pastor Chris and the Christ Embassy Church are determined to rebuild and continue their mission.
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A student of the Air Force Comprehensive School, Kaduna, Blaise Felix Aliyu, has died.
The student was punished to death by two of his senior colleagues.
Aliyu, an orphan, who lost his parents in 2013, is said to be survived by his twin brother, who is also a student at the military boarding school, located in Mando, Kaduna.
Two SS3 students reportedly summoned the 15-year-old to their room under the pretext of punishing him but ended up killing him.
The deceased body has been deposited in the mortuary.
Reacting to the development, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, spokesperson for the Nigerian Airforce (NAF), expressed the institution’s sorrow.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Gabkwet said an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.
“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, and indeed the entire NAF family are saddened by the painful and unfortunate incident of the untimely death of one of our students at Air Force Secondary School, Kaduna, on June 19, 2024.”
“To avoid all sorts of speculations, a thorough investigation is currently ongoing to unravel how, why, and what actually led to the death of the victim. Rest assured that this matter is receiving the utmost urgency it deserves, and we won’t rest until it is unravelled,” the statement said.
An inferno has engulfed the headquarters of Christ Embassy Church located in Oregun area of Ikeja, Lagos State.
An eye witness confirmed this to Channels Television. Multiple videos on X have also shown the massive edifice being destroyed by fire.
The fire which broke out early hours of Sunday caused a significant damage to the church property, sending shock waves throughout the immediate community and beyond.
Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service are also said to have arrived at the scene to try and put out the fire.
The area has been cordoned-off by the police to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The church is headed by influential pastor, Chris Oyakhilome.
Media
Stanley Okorie, the veteran Nollywood soundtrack composer and singer, has disclosed the reasons behind the failures of his first two marriages.
According to Okorie, his first wife divorced him because she found his songs “stupid.” He also admitted to being an “insensitive” husband.
The soundtrack composer shared his candid reflections during a chat with popular media personality Chude Jideonwo.
He said, “My first divorce was the most painful. You know, the first cut is always the deepest. I have my own share of blame. Most people, when they talk about their problems in a marriage or a relationship, are quick to highlight the other person’s faults. I’m not saying I was entirely at fault, but I was a very insensitive husband. I blame myself for that one.
“I wasn’t a caring husband. Sometimes, if my wife did her hair, I’d say, ‘I’m going to the studio, come ooo.’ No, that’s not nice. I wouldn’t remember her birthday because there was a time I was doing all the job [Nollywood soundtracks], and people would call me from London, pay for my ticket, and I would go and do the music. I thought providing for the family was enough. But sometimes, the first rule of love is presence. You can give all the money, but the first rule of love is presence.
“My first wife wasn’t after money. Sometimes, when I gave her money, I’d return to find the money on the table. I was very busy with music, going from studio to studio. So when I look back, I see that’s the cost. Everything comes at a cost. Economists call it opportunity cost. In my first marriage, I was very, very insensitive. If I had been more mature—of course, I married very young—I wondered why she wasn’t seeing all the work I was doing. I failed on that score.
“The first day she looked at me and said, ‘I can’t take this anymore,’ I knew she was telling the truth, so I didn’t want to argue. Instead of going to beg her, I was singing stupid songs to console myself.
“After that, I went through a second divorce. At some point, my wife died. My son died. Some of the songs I sing were my escape from my sad reality, and they helped me deal with it to some level. But I tell you, there’s no method of dealing with a problem better than confronting the problem. So music wasn’t fair to me on that score. I was using it as an escape instead of confronting my problems. Some things that delight you today will, at some point, hurt. So that’s how it’s been a blessing and a curse. But I’m happy now where I am. I’m happily married with kids, doing well, and still recording music.”
Man who lost both arms while working as PHCN technician on a faulty community transformer weds his woman
AFOLABI
A Nigerian man who lost both arms in an accident while working, has tied the knot with his woman.
Samuel Odugbesan who worked as an electrical staff member in his previous employment, lost both arms in a work accident two years ago.
On Friday, June 21, Samuel and his woman exchanged vows at the Ikoyi registry in a ceremony that was attended by their family and friends.
Congrats to them!
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