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CAN Decry IDPs Conditions, Urges Christians To Base Christmas On Spiritual Preparation
CAN Decry IDPs Conditions, Urges Christians To Base Christmas On Spiritual Preparation
By Francis Okoye
The Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State Chapter, Most Rev. John Bogna Bakeni, who is the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic dioceses of Maiduguri has called on Christians in the state to base the Christmas celebration coming ahead on spiritual preparation and not purely on materials things.
Bishop Bakeni who noted that what is more important in the Christmas celebration is the disposition of the heart , reconciliation with one another, added that joy and happiness doesn’t come from how much one has, but how much gratitude one has even for a little.
The CAN Chairman said these while sharing his Christmas message to Christians in the state in an interview with Journalists on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
He enjoined Christians to see the Christmas as celebration of hope rather than material things not withstanding the economic challenges faced by all in the country.
He decried the worrisome condition of internally displaced persons ( IDPs ) residing in Christian camps at CAN Centre Wulari, Shuwari as well as those in Catholic Centre and host communities in the state, and said even though government doesn’t recognise them because the camps are said to be unofficial, more could be done to see that they are equally treated as those in the recognised camps that has been closed down and the people resettled, since majority of them are also citizens of Borno State.
Bishop Bakeni said “, The IDPs are Nigeria citizens and citizens of Borno State. They are supposed to be directly under the care of the government even though they are in camps not recognised by government, but at the same time the Christian community and the church have been taking care of them as as much as their resources can allow them.
” The plight of the IDPs was one of the issues we discussed at pastor’s meeting held on Tuesday. How to carry them along this festive season, so there are plans on the way by all churches and Christian community to collect items such as foods, cloths among others to celebrate with them. They are very dear to us , but there are certain things that are beyond us in terms of resettlement and going back to their ancestral homes.
” My desire is that they should all be back to their various communities. Officially, the government does not recognise the camps, but we can have conversation with the government authority to see how these IDPs in the care of the church can benefit from the government like other displaced persons,” the Bishop said.
He described the relationship between the Christian community and the state government as cordial, saying that the Governor has been reaching out to the churches in several occasions.
He commended the state government, the Nigeria military and other security agencies for the relative peace the people are enjoying in the state now compared to what was obtained before.
” Having witnessed gradual return of peace in the state, we give thanks to God , and men and women in uniform and all other agencies who are working round the clock to ensure that peace is restored in Borno State and the North-East in general.
” So my message to all Christians in the state is to use this moment of grace to celebrate, pray , share gift and reconcile with one another so that graces set aside for this sacred season will abide with everyone,” Bishop Bakeni said.
CAN Decry IDPs Conditions, Urges Christians To Base Christmas On Spiritual Preparation
DIGITAL RIGHTS: EU, ASF FRANCE SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLING IN NIGERIA
By: Michael Mike
Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF) France with the support from the European Union (EU) in conjunction with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), through it e- RIGHTS Protect has called for more strength to fight against cyberbulling and digital rights violation in Nigeria.
This was made known at the grand finale of the national inter-school digital rights competition organized by ASF under it E-RIGHTS platform last Tuesday in Abuja.
After a thorough engagement by various schools across the country, four schools from different States and zone were qualified to the final, namely Kano State, Lagos, Imo and FCT.
In the keenly contested competition, the Sonmori Senior Comprehensive High School, Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos State emerged as the winner, followed by FCT, Imo and Kano respectfully. The winner takes home the sum of one million Naira with support also from the eRights project to empower what they are doing in terms of digital literacy.
ASF France, Nigeria County Director, Angela Uwandu Uzoma, explained that, the competitions is more than celebration of talents, but celebration of courage, consciousness and commitment. She said, the occasion is not just to shaping conversation of the students, but to shaping their future.
She further said “The eRights project aims at promoting digital rights, not just for the adults, but also for the children, ensuring that the children are not left behind in this conversation. So children are themselves today participating in putting out empowering videos, messaging to discourage cyberbullying, to say no to cyberbullying because of the attendant effects and the harms that it can cause”
“The Cybercrimes Act, which was recently revised, amended particularly with Section 24, which was amended in 2024, to ensure that the government addresses some of these issues
“The government needs to do more. And we’re seeing that this Act, which ordinarily should protect citizens, to empower them to create a safe space for engagement, ensure that people are able to express themselves freely as guaranteed by the Constitution, including children” she added.
Also, the EU representative at the event, Program Manager, CSO, Human Rights and Youth, Mrs. Wynyfred Achu-Egbuson, believed that, the competition will bring to the understanding of Yong people that they have a responsibility towards not only protecting their rights but also protect the rights of other people who use the digital space.
She further said, the issues surrounding digital rights in Nigeria and other developed countries of the West is dynamic. Therefore, the issues of legislations and regulation towards digital rights is developing, the situation is dynamic and ever changing
DIGITAL RIGHTS: EU, ASF FRANCE SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLING IN NIGERIA
One killed, several injured in farmers-herders clash in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
At least one person killed and several others injured following a clash between Fulani herders and Gwari farmers in Kpowi village, Fuka District, Munya Local Government Area.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident, which occurred on June 2 at about 4:30 p.m., was reportedly triggered by a dispute over alleged farm trespass and destruction of crops.
The altercation led to violent confrontations between members of the Fulani and Gwari communities.
Security sources confirmed that six Fulani residents identified as Ahmadu Bature, Dauda Bello, Haruna Umaru, Shuaibu Bature, Bature Bello, and Safiya Auta sustained various degrees of injuries.
Similarly, four Gwari individuals Yusuf Pada, Pius Pada, Dantala Yusuf, and Joshua Mai’anguwa were also injured during the clash.
All the victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Kaffin-Koro for medical attention. However, Ahmadu Bature was confirmed dead on admission.
The situation has been brought under control following swift intervention by operatives, and leaders of both communities have been invited for a peace dialogue.
One killed, several injured in farmers-herders clash in Niger
VP Shettima Arrives Abuja Airport En Route Mokwa, Niger State
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, en route to Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State for an on-the-spot assessment of the flooding that has affected the area.
The Vice President’s visit is aimed at conducting a firsthand evaluation of the flood damage and delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s condolence messages and assurances to families affected by the natural disaster.
Earlier, President Tinubu had issued a statement expressing deep concern over the severe flooding, which has resulted in tragic loss of lives and displacement of families. The President extended heartfelt condolences to affected families and the people of Niger State.
In his statement, President Tinubu announced the immediate activation of the National Emergency Response Centre and confirmed that he had been briefed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the scale of the disaster. He assured that search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, with all relevant federal agencies mobilised to support the state government’s efforts.
VP Shettima Arrives Abuja Airport En Route Mokwa, Niger State
Eid-el-Kabir Celebration: NSCDC Deploys 4,500 Personnel in Abuja
DIGITAL RIGHTS: EU, ASF FRANCE SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLING IN NIGERIA
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