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ECOWAS Parliamentarians Express Concern Over Handling of Religious Matters in West Africa

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ECOWAS Parliamentarians Express Concern Over Handling of Religious Matters in West Africa

ECOWAS Parliamentarians Express Concern Over Handling of Religious Matters in West Africa

By: Michael Mike

Members of Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) Parliament have expressed deep concern regarding the unequal treatment of religious matters in political decisions by government of various countries in West Africa.

The Parliament therefore called on political and religious leaders from member states to ensure equity in the treatment of different religions existing within the community, as part of the efforts at addressing religious intolerance in the sub-region.

Besides, the parliamentarians also called for the establishment of the ECOWAS Communication charter on religious tolerance.

This came against the backdrop of religious crisis in the sub-region in recent times, which has led to killings and wanton destruction of properties, and gradually turning the Sahel into a theatre of war with the activities of various religious terrorist groups. 

The concern was raised at the end of ECOWAS Parliament delocalised meeting of joint committees on Education, Science and Culture; Health ;Telecommunications and Information Technology , in Praia, Capital of Cape Verde, with the theme, “Religious Tolerance and Harmony: Essential factors for development, peace and stability in ECOWAS region”.

The draft report of the meeting which had many presentations from scholars and religious leaders was read by the meeting co-Chairman, Hon. Aime Assine, from Senegal.

The meeting noted that the challenges raised with regards to religious tolerance and harmony in the community space and therefore insisted on the need for them (Parliamentarians)  to become more involved in the national education policy programmes of their states. 

The meeting harped on the need for deliberate actions and funding for programmes and activities that would promote religious tolerance among the people in the community.  

The meeting also stressed the need for ECOWAS parliamentarians to undertake sensitization, education and information activities for the benefit of the populations, particularly in rural areas. 

The meeting further called on the parliamentarians to make legislative proposals or vote on bills which intend to promote a legislative framework relating to religious tolerance and harmony. 

Other m recommendations put forward by the meeting include the promotion of structures that will ensure enforcement of laws and political will for religious tolerance amongst other far fetching recommendations put forward at the end of the meeting. 

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Member states were also charged to “Include in their curricular in schools, from primary to universities religious tolerance teachings in order to foster the culture of religious tolerance.

“Create a legal and formative framework that  favours liberties to ensure religious tolerance culture in ECOWAS

“Allocate massive government budget on religious General Education in ECOWAS centred on cultural and religious diversity for tolerance culture.

“Promote an ECOWAS-wide campaign sensitization for the promotion of tolerance culture.”

In his vote of thanks, a member of the joint Committee, Hon. Usman Idi Ango, from Niger Republic expressed gratitude to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Cape Verde, Rt. Hon Ausrelino Tavares and the Cape Verdeans Delegation for the successful hosting of the event.

He also appreciated the Speaker of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis for his efficiency and commitment in executing his Mandate, support to the regional integration and his immense contribution to peace, democracy and solidarity in the ECOWAS region

ECOWAS Parliamentarians Express Concern Over Handling of Religious Matters in West Africa

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We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

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We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

By: Michael Mike

Rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in Central African Republic (CAR) on Friday narrated their ordeal on breathing air of freedom in Nigeria, alleging that they were sexually harassed by their Chinese employers while workers at mining site.

The 12 stranded Nigerian men whose video went viral some three weeks ago finally arrived Nigeria and paid an appreciation visit to the NIDCOM office, where they were received by Chairman/ CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other management staff.

The leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn said it is important for the world to know that despite owing them 11 months salaries, “we were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.

“I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.

“I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria and I don’t think anything good can come out of the country but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.

“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) ,NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.

Freeborn said they had suffered a lot in the past 20 months that they left Nigeria and pleaded with the government to help them redress the injustices meted out to them by their employers.

He recalled how they were left stranded in the forest after work without payment leaving them starving in a harsh and unsafe living conditions. With support from the Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,NIDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home.

Welcoming back the returnees to Nigeria, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured them that justice will be served as the Commission in conjunction with relevant government agencies would take up the matter on their behalf.

The NIDCOM boss condemned the acts as inhumane and assured that the matter would be pursued to ensure justice is served in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

She counselled them to be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in its advocacy on irregular migration and its consequences.

NIDCOM through Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.

She also called on well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the Nigerians to settle down back in the country.

A cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, were given to all the 12 returnees.

Adenugba explained that the support was a demonstration of belief in the evacuees’ potential, meant to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.

Other rescued workers are Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun and Olayemi Peter Adewale.

Others were Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.
End

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Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

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Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police in Ogun have arrested a mobile policeman and several security guards for alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft from a warehouse belonging to H.K Printing & Packaging Limited, Agbara.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 9 at about 11:00 p.m., when a truck drove into the company premises and proceeded to the warehouse, allegedly aided by security operatives on duty.

According to the sources, Insp. Ibrahim James, attached to PMF 16 Abeokuta, was captured on CCTV moving around and allegedly leading the operation.

Another officer, Insp. Olabamipe Olaiya, posted to the same beat, was said to be absent from duty at the time.

The company’s security guards and the implicated police personnel allegedly conspired with others still at large to break into the warehouse and cart away goods whose total value is yet to be ascertained.

Police detectives led by CSP Phillips Abayomi, Acting ACP, Agbara Division, visited the scene and arrested the mobile policeman along with the private security guards on duty during the incident.

The suspects are being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover the stolen items.

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

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Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

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Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nasarawa State Police Command says it is searching for a herbalist, simply identified as Alfa, over alleged involvement in a ritual killing and attempted murder in Mararaba.

It was gathered that the case was reported by one Jamilu Abubakar, a vigilante member.

Abubakar allegedly accompanied two young men to Alfa’s residence on Aug. 12 to seek spiritual assistance purportedly to make more money through internet fraud.

“It was gathered that Alfa prepared a concoction and meat for the victims to eat. Shortly after consuming the meal, both developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mararaba.

“Sadly, one of the victims, Ani Sunday, aged 21, was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the second, Tosin Akurunor, is responding to treatment,” said the sources.

He said Abubakar had been arrested for his role in taking the victims to the herbalist, while the main suspect, Alfa, was at large.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alfa and conclude investigations, he added.

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

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