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“MY REFERENCE TO POPE, A MARK OF REVERENCE NOT RIDICULE” – GOVERNOR LALONG
“MY REFERENCE TO POPE, A MARK OF REVERENCE NOT RIDICULE” – GOVERNOR LALONG
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has said that contrary to insinuations and misconceptions being imputed into his interview granted to State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa where he explained that as a Catholic and a Papal Knight, the Pope has not told him that accepting the position of Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council was wrong, the statement was out of reverence and not disregard for the Holy Father, Catholic Church or Christianity.
Lalong said it was unfortunate that part of the interview has been excised and used by politicians for propaganda and misinformation about his personality, faith and political persuasion. He said, “My reference to the Holy Father the Pope was to emphasise that as a Christian born and raised in the Catholic faith, accepting the assignment given to me by my party the APC of which I am a founding member does not in any way remove my faith in Jesus Christ or my commitment to the Church in Nigeria and universally. Those who know me can attest to my respect for the Church, Christianity and Spiritual Fathers of all denominations. They know my modest contribution to the growth of the Church in Plateau State, Northern Nigerian and Nigeria at large and can testify to it”.
He therefore reiterated that he has the highest regard for Christians and Church Authority and will continue to work hard in promoting the interests of Christians and adherents of other religions based on love, justice, equity and fairness which are encouraged in the Holy Bible and the Constitution of Nigeria.
Governor Lalong further emphasized that although he understands and appreciates the concerns of Christians over the emergence of Muslim, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as APC Presidential candidate and choice the of Vice Presidential nominee Senator Kashim Shettima also a Muslim, the situation does not warrant Christians within the party leaving the party or refusing to accept responsibilities because being within a system makes it easy to address grievances than being outside. Besides, he said the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was not on religious basis as even Christians voted for him during the APC Primaries.
He also appealed to Nigerians irrespective of religious persuasions to unite and work towards addressing the major challenges of the nation by actively participating in the political process and ensuring they push forward their interests rather than allowing religious sentiments to override their desire to assess issues from a wholistic perspective.
The APC Presidential Campaign DG assured that series of consultations with religious, traditional, professional, youth, women and other groups are being fashioned out to deepen engagement and remove misconceptions about the candidature of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima whom he said have a track record of treating people fairly and justly irrespective of ethno-religious differences.
“MY REFERENCE TO POPE, A MARK OF REVERENCE NOT RIDICULE” – GOVERNOR LALONG
Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community
By: Zagazola Makama
A 47-year-old Indian national, identified as Kalidass Arunachalam, has died after suddenly slumping while on duty at a factory in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the deceased was a production manager with Green Hills Agricultural Products Ltd. He was said to have collapsed at about 11:30 a.m. on Friday while working at the company premises.
Company representatives, including another Indian national, Tushar Tukaram Phadtare, along with the Managing Director, Suleman Dauda, and the Chief Security Officer, Lt. Col. Thompson Udom (rtd), rushed him to God’s Spring Best Care Hospital in the Obaretin Community for urgent medical attention.
A medical doctor at the facility, identified as Dr. Kingsley Dele, later confirmed Arunachalam dead while efforts were still being made to revive him.
Officials later visited the hospital where the body was found lying face up on a hospital bed with a drip attached. No visible marks of violence were observed on the corpse.
The remains of the deceased were deposited at the mortuary, and efforts are ongoing to contact the Indian Embassy to inform his next-of-kin and facilitate diplomatic procedures.
Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community
Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
At least three persons, including a two-year-old child, are missing after a boat capsized on Friday night while ferrying passengers and vehicles across the Namnai River in Taraba State.
Zagazola Makama reports that the boat, which was transporting several passengers and three vehicles, capsized around 8:40 p.m. due to overloading and reckless navigation by the operator.
According to sources, the operator defied standing safety protocols by loading three vehicles onto the boat instead of the approved maximum of two. The mishap occurred while the boat was attempting to dock at the riverbank, when a strong wave destabilised it, causing it to overturn.
While many passengers were rescued by local divers and first responders, three victims identified as Aishatu Rilwanu, Baharatu Danasabe, and Yusuf Badaru, a two-year-old child all residents of Jantaro Ward in Mutum Biyu remain unaccounted for.
Rescue team were mobilised to scene as both community members and security personnel intensify the search and rescue efforts.
As of the time of filing this report, the rescue operation is still ongoing.
Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba
Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Ogun have arrested 22 suspected members of the Aiye confraternity during a coordinated raid at Hilltop Hotel in Osiele, Odeda Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place on Friday night, followed credible intelligence received by officers at the Odeda Division regarding the unlawful gathering of cultists at the hotel.
The sources confirmed that a joint tactical team comprising officers from Aregbe Division, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and the Anti-Cultism Unit stormed the hotel and apprehended the suspects.
Among those arrested were 19 males, three females, and two serving military personnel, suspected to be linked to the cult group.
Items recovered from the suspects include one UTC axe, a cut-to-size barrel gun, and several blue beret caps, all identified with the Aiye cult group.
The sources said that the State Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-Cultism Unit at Eleweran has been directed to conduct a discreet investigation into the incident, while further profiling of the suspects is underway.
The sources said individuals or groups found engaging in such criminal acts would face the full weight of the law.
Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers
Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community
Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba
Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers
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