News

Greed killing Nigeria silently — Kaduna CAN berates politicians

Published

2 months ago

March 13, 2024

By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna

The Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Kaduna state chapter has appealed to political leaders and citizens to embrace liberality against greed, which according to the organisation, is a silent menace killing the country.

The CAN Chairman, Kaduna state Rev. Caleb Ma’aji made the appeal in Kaduna, on the occasion of his 54th birthday anniversary, saying Nigeria is blessed with everything and has no reason to suffer.

Rev. Ma’aji who lamented over the state of the country asserted that Nigeria has been plunged into the current economic realities on the ground of greed, adding that both leaders and the downtrodden are fighting for their personal gain without minding the implication of their actions on the destiny of others.

Speaking on the need for Nigerians to retrace their steps back to God and the good old days where everybody lived together as family, the CAN chairman remarked that life is transient and as such people must learn to live their life with eternity in view so as to have a glorious end.

“One thing I know is that life is transient, life is temporal. But even though this life is transient, it is an opportunity for us to prepare ourselves for eternity. We must live as wise people especially as we grow older. Our life should be tailored through meeting with our creator which obviously every man must come face to face with Him.

“God has so much blessed and chosen Nigeria. He has blessed us with everything we need both human, materials, resources and even immaterial but it is utilizing it inappropriately and wrongly that is causing us the pains that we are going through today.

“There is no fear of God in the lives of the leaders and there is equally greed on the path of followership. When God is not allowed to be in the centre of everything that has to do with us and our lives, we are certainly prone to have crisis, chaos and suffering.

“When leadership leads with the fear of God and the followers also follow with the fear of God, that is when we will have progress and with every sense of sincerity, the better for all of us. But when everybody is just fighting for their own, then Nigerians are bound to suffer.

“The leadership of this country must have the fear of God because the way they live, one day they will be accountable to God. Life, power and position are all transient. They all come and with time, they will go away but one thing is sure, the accountability to God is unshakable, we cannot compromise it and we cannot negotiate it,” The cleric said.

News

Senate seeks states, FCT’s involvement in selection of airlines for Hajj pilgrims

Published

10 mins ago

May 15, 2024

NewsDirect

The amendment bill also seeks for the involvement of States Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards in feeding of pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir under regulation of NAHCON.

The Senate has sought the involvement of states and the Federal Capital Territory in selecting airlines and feeding Hajj pilgrims.

This is sequel to the passage of an amendment bill on the establishment Act of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to pave the way for the involvement of States and the FCT in the selection of Airlines for Hajj operations. It scaled through the second reading.

The amendment bill also seeks the involvement of States’ Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards in feeding pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir under the regulation of NAHCON.

Resolutions of the Senate followed the consideration of the Bill for an Act to Amend the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, 2006 to involve States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory in the selection of Airline Agencies for Hajj Operations to promote efficiency, accountability and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 344)

Senator Abbas Aminu Iya representing Adamawa Central who sponsored the bill, informed the Senate that NAHCON was established in 2006 to serve as a regulatory agency on Muslim pilgrims, overseeing activities of states, Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, FCT and Tour agents.

He, however, queried the practice which allows states Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to handle accommodation and feeding of their pilgrims in Mecca while NAHCON handles accommodation and feeding of all pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir (Mina and Arafat), which he said creates many inconveniences to pilgrims and affects NAHCON ‘s ability for effective regulatory function.

News

Sanwo-Olu mourns death of Deputy Chief of Staff, Gboyega Soyannwo

Published

18 mins ago

May 15, 2024

NewsDirect

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government has announced the passing of its Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo.

According to a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Soyannwo died on Wednesday after a brief illness at the age of 55.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed his condolences to the Soyannwo family, describing the late Deputy Chief of Staff as a “brother and a servant of the people.

According to the statement, “In deep sorrow, the Lagos State Government announces the passing of the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS) to Mr. Governor, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo.

“Soyannwo died today after a brief illness. He was 55.

“Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the Government and people of Lagos, sends his condolences to the Soyannwo family.

“I have lost a brother and a servant of the people,” Mr. Governor said while breaking the news to the Executive Council (EXCO) meeting,

“After a minute’s silence in respect of the late DCoS, Mr. Governor ended the EXCO meeting.”

The late Gboyega Soyannwo is survived by a wife and two children.

News

Mosque explosion: 24 persons injured in Kano

Published

31 mins ago

May 15, 2024

NewsDirect

About 24 persons were early in the morning on Wednesday critically injured following a mosque explosion at Gadan Village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State

SP Abdullahi Haruna, the Public Relations Officer of the Kano Police Command, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

According to him, “Today, 15/05/2024 at about 0520hrs, reports were received that, there was an explosion at a Mosque in Gadan Village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, during “Subhi Prayer,” and that some people got injured.”

He further explained that on receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, immediately deployed the command’s combined teams consisting of experts in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) led by CSP Haruna Isma’il and other Crime-Scene Policemen led by Divisional Police Officer, Gezawa Division, CSP Haruna Iliya.

The scene, according to the PPRO, was cordoned-off and twenty-four victims, including 20 male adults and four male children, were evacuated and rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano where they are currently receiving treatment.

He further explained that a forensic analysis at the preliminary stage revealed a suspected petrol explosion, of which a full investigation is ongoing, adding that the principal suspect had been identified and arrested adding that the suspect is now with the police.

The PPRO stated that the suspect is Shafi’u Abubakar, aged 38 years, who said his action was purely in hostility following prolonged family disagreement over sharing of inheritance, of which those that he alleged to have cheated him were in the mosque at that moment and he did that for his voice to be heard.

While the suspect is currently in police custody, he explained that a detailed investigation is ongoing and will be made public in due course.