National News
EYN Church Demolition: CAN demands rebuilding of all Churches demolish by Borno Government
EYN Church Demolition: CAN demands rebuilding of all Churches demolish by Borno Government
The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN have addressed a press conference in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital following the demolition of EYN Church Maduganari and killing and injuring of members by security attached to the Borno Geographic Information Services, BOGIS an agency in charge of land registration on the state.
Speaking at the briefing, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Williams Naga condemned in strong terms the killing of Mr. Ezekiel Bitrus Tumba, a son of Cocin Church pastor, and demolition of the Local Church of Brethren in Nigeria.
Bishop Naga, who addressed the press on Saturday at the conference Hall, COCIN Church, Kirikasama, Maiduguri said “the incident which occurred on Thursday, August 5, 2021, which was the demolition of the EYN LCB Maduganari and killing of a brother, 29 years old Ezekiel Bitrus Tumba, and injuring of five others working at the Church premises by Civilian JTF was tragic, condemnable.
“Officials of Borno Geographic Information System (BOGIS) led by its Executive Secretary, Engr Adams Bababa, brought CJTF to the Church not only for demolition but also ended up killing our brother and son.
“The reaction by youths which followed was report caused by the seizure of peoples’ mobile phones and refusal to return same phones to the people by BOGIS.
“The entire Christian community has been thrown into mourning mood as a brother who was a breadwinner of his family was sent to his early grave by zealous BOGIS head and CJTF for the simple reason of stoppìng Church expansion in the state.
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“Unfortunately, we the Christians in the state have been denied Certificate of Occupancy to build Church by the state government since 1979, but we acquire lands/plots by ‘Deed of Assignment to build our places of worship”.
“It appears BOGIS with these latest activities is out to ensure no church is allowed to exist in the state, fuel tension and caused dissatisfaction among peace-loving Christians and Muslims in a fragile state as Borno.
“We, therefore, demand the following; 1. constitution of Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate the unwarranted killing and shooting at Maduganari Church so as to truly bring perpetrators to Justice. We demand that CAN should be represented in the panel.
“2. Rebuilding of all churches demolished and reopening of those sealed by BOGIS, for example; EYN LCB Maduganari, Jubilee Sanctuary Church, Pompomari By-Pass, Total Gospel Mission International (TOGOMI), Mairi Bakin Kogi, The Sanctuary Church, Behind A. A Filling Station, Tudun Wada and Christ Favour Land, Pompomari By-Pass.
“3. Immediate return of seized phones by BOGIS to the owners as such action is an infringement of their rights to communication and freedom of expression.
“4. His Excellency Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State should use his good office to address all existing pressing issues affecting the Christian Community in the state.” Naga stated.
He however called on all youths and the entire Christian Community in the state to remain calm, law-abiding, and allow themselves to be guided by the teachings of their Lord Jesus Christ.
Bishop Naga also thank the entire citizens of Borno state for their solidarity, concerns, and show of care on the unfortunate and avoidable incident, even as he commiserated with the EYN Church, the injured, and COCIN church pastor and his family who lost their son.
He further assured CAN will continue to encourage all people to be peaceful and prayed to God Almighty to restore peace in the land.
On CAN meeting with Governor Zulum some hours after the incident, Bishop Naga said, he actually led the delegation to Government House on the invitation of the governor to chat a way forward on how to address the issues at hand.
The Bishop also used the opportunity and informed that the remains of late Ezekiel would be buried on Monday at Christian cemetery, behind Maximum Prison, Maiduguri.
Our Correspondent observed that many pastors in charge of various churches across the state attended the press conference.
National News
Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG
Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG
By: Michael Mike
The Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor has affirmed that investments in the circular economy value chain have the potential to increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
Barikor made this statement recently during a meeting with the management of a plastic packaging recycling (rPET) company, Sonnex in Lagos.
He assured the team that the Nigerian government prioritizes circular economy, noting that the draft National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations soon to be gazetted is one of the efforts to strengthen the legal framework for circular economy implementation in Nigeria.
He said: “Circular Economy falls under the Presidential priorities for the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Minister is very keen on the success. Apart from tackling the problem of waste, green jobs have been created .
“The pellets and flakes you produce and export also generate foreign exchange. The Plastic Waste Control Regulations are awaiting official gazette and once gazetted, we would have connected the dots of the framework to implement circular economy in the plastic sector. We are deeply committed to ensuring the success of Circular Economy.”
Earlier, the Managing Director, Anil Mohinani intimated the NESREA boss on the process for the production of recycled PET bottles (rPET), whilst also highlighting the challenges faced by investors in the sector .
He listed some of the setbacks to include lack of a legal instrument to compel manufacturers in the food and beverage sector to embrace food-grade rPET, unfriendly policies by some foreign companies, and insufficient awareness .
“Europe and America create barriers to protect their international recycling business. There is unfair competition. In some countries such as Kenya, there is encouragement to invest in rPET recycling because there is a regulation in place,” he added.
Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG
ISWAP Terrorists Kill Hunters’ Leader in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected ISWAP terrorists have killed the chairman of the hunters’ group in Garjang village, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 5 a.m. on Sunday.
The victim, identified as Habu Dala, 53, was abducted from his home by the terrorists, who took him through Mulharam to Forfot villages in Damboa LGA.
Villagers mobilised in search of Dala and later found his corpse bearing gunshot wounds.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and the hunters’ group visited the scene.
The remains were evacuated to the General Hospital, Damboa, where he was certified dead and later released to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
ISWAP Terrorists Kill Hunters’ Leader in Borno
Nine Injured in Kwali Farmers–Herders Clash
By: Zagazola Makama
Nine persons sustained machete injuries in a clash between Bassa farmers and Fulani herders in Gomoni Village, Kwali Area Council of the FCT.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the fight, which broke out on Aug. 9 at about 3:30 p.m., followed alleged destruction of melon and maize farms belonging to the Bassa community by cattle.
It was gathered that the Nigeria army troops
along with joint team of operatives, and vigilantes were deployed to the scene following a distress call.
Six Bassa and three Fulani victims with varying degrees of machete cuts were taken to Rhema Foundation Hospital, Kwali, for treatment.
Authorities confirmed that the situation had been brought under control and normalcy restored, while investigation was ongoing.
Nine Injured in Kwali Farmers–Herders Clash
Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG
AND WE WILL WIN!
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