News
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
By: Balami Lazarus
One man with a Holy Bible forcefully tried in an attempt to disjoint and change the course of history of the 100-year centenary celebration of EYN-CCBN in Nigeria. What is the rationale for “celebring 100 years of existence at two different locations”? Likes of one Rev. Joel Billi, who lacks a sense of history, if given the chance, will turn historical events and their marks upside-down and inside-out to create different versions and interpretations.
Men are subjects of history and have always neglected the importance of their footprints in the place of history, failing to realize that their activities could be a topic of history in discourse. The tempest raised by Rev. Billi at the wake of the 100-year centenary celebration of Ekklesiya Yan’uwa a Nigeriya, Church of Brethren in Nigeria (EYN– CBN ) was alarming, dire, appalling, and hair-rraising that shook the church founded over 100 years ago: March 1923, to March 17th, 2024 (101 years) as of now.
As an observer of the events, I write not only in support of one Mr. Yohanna Yusufu Balami (YY Balami), as he is known. His book, “Emerging Issues and Concerns: The 76th EYN General Church Council (Majelisa),” 2023. Has brought to light the deliberate distortion and near-death of the history of EYN Church in Nigeria. Rev. Joel, the President of EYN-CCBN was at the peak of this urgly and unhealthy situation that nearly consumed EYN as a Christian organization with her churches and members.
Looking at the issues from a historical perspective, considering the fact that Rev. Billi has discredited the true and correct source of a living history from his actions in the aftermath of the church centenary celebration to mark its 100 years of existence at Garkida, where it first started in 1923,. He began this by using the privileges of his official capacity as President of EYN-CCBN to change the course of the living history of the church that first appeared in Ladin Gabas’ northeastern Nigeria, where it was planted precisely on March 17, 1923, under a living tamarind tree at Garkida in Adamawa State by two white, humble missionaries, Rev. Stover Kulp and Dr. Albert Helser.
The news of circumventing the centenary celebration has turned the entire church council into confusion; clerics and members were disturbed by this eruption. With repeated rejection of Rev. Stephen Billi intentions that lack merit with no justification, only but to distort and change the history of origin, date, and site bore out of selfishness wrapped in greed, ethnic and monetary capitalization on the gainers chart, nurtured and promoted by him.
The concerned elders of the church and other high-profile personalities from the region, Rev. Joel, refused to shift ground, and of course darkness fell that came with a thick smell of breakup rearing its head among her many church branches. He was near achieving this feat through the disunity he created, powered, and sponsored through his throng of’vultures’ for the sole purpose of personal interest by tempering with the history of 100 years. Rev. Billi has technically distorted the church history of Nigeria.
In spite of the historical relics—tombs and plagues—on and under the living Tamarind Tree, individuals like Rev. Billi have had the guts to dare see such glaring evidence of church history long before he was born. “All other places the EYN missionaries went to were on different dates after March 17, 1923. Kwarhi was not there and has no significant attachment to its history dating back to 100 years.
The 17th of March 1923 will always and forever remain our Founders Day in Garkida under the blessed Tamarind Tree, making it our spiritual headquarterss.” My individual concern is the near collapse of the church and the damage to the rich history of EYN-CCBN. The question on the lips of members is: What has March 15, 2023, to do with the coming of Rev. Stover Kulp and Dr. Albert Helser? I put it to Rev. Joel Stephen Billi that this is but a broad-day robbery of EYN history. However, the cries of members and some well-meaning individuals in the public have helped to water down his intentions, which might have caused catastrophe for the entire EYN Church. I believe such will and shall not happen again in EYN-CBN as a church.
Balami, a publisher and columnist.
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
IMPACT: Borno Emerges Best Performing State in Malaria, Immunisation Project
By: Our Reporter
Borno State has emerged as the overall best in the implementation of Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), surpassing other participating states across the country.
IMPACT is a World Bank-supported community driven project aimed at reducing by half the mortality of chidren under five by 2030, through strengthening the primary healthcare centers.
The project delivers integrated immunisation-plus and malaria sevices to vulnerable population across 235 primary and secondary healthcare facilities across the state.
Receiving the award at the Government House in Maiduguri, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum commended the effort of the Ministry of Health for achieving the milestone.
Governor Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuing its investment in the health sector to improve the wellbeing of people of the state.
“I would like to commend the Health Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary, the IMPACT project coordinator, and the rest of the team for their efforts in achieving this feat of becoming the best-performing state. On behalf of the government and people of the state, I extend our sincere gratitude,” Governor Zulum stated.
“Healthcare is one of the priorities of this admnistration, therefore, I willl like to assure you that more investment will be made in the entire value-chain of the health sector to ensure quality and affordable healthcare delivery system for people of the state,” he added.
Presenting the award to the governor, Communissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof. Baba Malum Gana, said the state achieved this feat owing to the high perfomance in the implementation of the project in a holistic and coordinated approach, deployment of digital monitoring tools as well as data quality.
He remarked that more than two million anti-malaria drugs, two million test kits and other essential consumables have been distributed in the last one year.
“In the last one year more than 2 million anti-malaria, 359,596 long-lasting Insecticide treated nets and 2 million test kits and other essential non-malaria drugs and medical consumables have been distributed across 235 health facilities across the state,” Malum Gana said.
The commissioner emphasized that despite the security challenges and 2024 flood disaster, the state was able to achieve immunization coverage in vulnerable areas.
IMPACT: Borno Emerges Best Performing State in Malaria, Immunisation Project
Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa
By: Michael Olugbode
Nigeria has sympathized with the governments of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica over the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa that ravaged the countries.
A statement on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa read: “The Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have received with profound sorrow and deep sympathy the news of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa on our sister nations, the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.
“The images and reports emerging from the countries, detailing widespread destruction, severe flooding, and the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods, are truly heart-wrenching. Nigeria stands in solidarity with the governments and the resilient peoples of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica during this period of immense adversity and destruction.
“We commend the swift and courageous efforts of the national emergency response teams in both countries, who are working tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to provide relief and save lives.
“In the spirit of South-South cooperation and the enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity that Nigeria shares with the nations of the Caribbean, the Federal Government of Nigeria extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a full and speedy recovery to the injured.
“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria calls upon the international community and our partner organisations to rally in support of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica, and to provide all necessary assistance to help these nations in their urgent recovery and rebuilding efforts.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Government and people of the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.”
Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa
News
NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation
NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation
By: Michael Mike
The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that Nigeria’s recent designation by the United States as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) does not degenerate into religious tension or undermine peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, especially in the northern region.
Reacting to the public response that followed the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, NCYP called for calm and constructive dialogue, warning that while international engagement is important, neglecting domestic dialogue would be a costly mistake.
The group noted that public reactions on social media already underscore the urgent need for local engagement in order to prevent the situation from escalating into inter-religious misunderstanding or violence.
The group, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Isaac Abrak, said: “We recalled that Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and NCYP had earlier appealed to the U.S. Government not to list Nigeria as a CPC, warning that such a move could “undermine the delicate interfaith dialogue and reconciliation efforts built over the years.” Unfortunately President Trump has still gone ahead and listed Nigeria, as such we must not allow this fear to turn into reality.
“While we commend President Tinubu for his inclusive approach to governance and his ongoing efforts to address insecurity, the NCYP stresses that more must be done to protect innocent lives—Christian, Muslim, or otherwise—and to strengthen national unity.
“NCYP must also express our concern that many northern governors have remained silent on this matter, as this is ia clarion call to the Northern Governors Forum, led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, to work closely with the President and stakeholders in preserving the budding peace between the two faiths, particularly in flashpoint areas.
“Finally, NCYP reaffirmed its commitment to promoting unity, tolerance, and peace across Nigeria.”
NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation
KACRAN Asks NEDC to Prioritise Livestock Development In 2026 Policies And Programmes
Backbone Infrastructure Ltd Secures $50B Funding for Ondo 500,000bpd Refinery, Free Zone Development
IMPACT: Borno Emerges Best Performing State in Malaria, Immunisation Project
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