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Food scarcity is the biggest form of insecurity…Bishop Bakeni

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Bishop John Bakeni

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The Chair of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Borno state, chapter Bishop John Bakeni has said that the biggest insecurity Nigeria is facing now as a nation is food insecurity.

He said that it was extremely dangerous for residents in the country who have been used to having surplus food to become hungry at any time in their lives either through natural or unnatural means.

Catholic auxiliary Bishop Bakeni who reviewed 2024 with this reporter recently noted that the fact that Nigerians rush for food to feed their families at this auspicious time in our economic history was a dangerous signal that food security must be fixed.

Reacting to the various loss of lives that occurred in 2024 after stampedes over food, he said that food insecurity was the greatest threat to the existence of the average Nigerian now.

“It was very unfortunate that Nigerians would have to loose their lives in such a way. It points out to something bigger towards the desperation, hunger and hardship in the land.

” You only need to go out and try to distribute anything today and watch how people will scramble for it. It would confirm what I am telling you. I don’t want to believe that it was only Catholics that were in the one that occurred in Abuja. There were many others there too because as a church our doors are always wide open for everyone.

“When people are hungry and desperate, it would be difficult for them to listen to commands and order to go about things the proper way. I think it was unfortunate that it was in that situation people had to die. But anything open like this can end up in stampede like the one that occurred in Ibadan.

“But we have not conquered poverty due to economic policies yet, there is hardship and and a lot has to be done to address these issues. Sometimes people shielded in all theses palaces may not be in tune with the reality. It’s only us that mingle that would know. And don’t forget they have 24 hours like us.

” Look, its not enough to tell a leader that your people are hungry.. You have to go out there to feel the pulse of the people yourself because the largest insecurity in this country is food insecurity. Once there is disconnect there is a problem.

“What happened in that catholic church in abuja is beyond being organized. The biggest challenge we have now is not the bandits but it has to do with food insecurity. And it is all because the economy has been adjusted today in Nigeria there by creating food insecurity.

” Food security is key to every thing affecting the residents and there is no substitute to safety and overall security of the people. Its the primary role of every leader and if you cannot fulfil this to your people then you should look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself the truth.” Said Bakeni.

Post flood message to christians as CAN chairman for 2025

Asked for his message to residents in the State, the chairman asked Christians to hold on to hope without which there would not be any need to exist.

He warned residents regardless of faith not to sink to a low level of despondency that they will discard hope which is what should carry them around at this time of economic challenges affecting the state of our nation.

“There is no doubt that 2024 was a tough year for every one. Even the high and mighties were affected by the turmoil. It was a year of hardship, hunger, insecurity, a lot of drama, natural and man made challenges that we cannot forget easily as a people.

” What I have for them is that we have to be a people of hope. Let us believe and hope in our God. We have to equally believe in our state and nation in the face of any challenge or calamity because it tells you how much we can do.

“We are a very resilient people so let’s hold on to that resilience and weather through the storm of 2025 as it comes. The Lord will see us through. There is no promise that it is going to be a bed of roses

” It is said that people can live without food for a month and water for at least a week but you cannot live without hope for a second.. The moment you loose hope and despondency sets in you lose everything. ” said Bakeni.

Food scarcity is the biggest form of insecurity…Bishop Bakeni

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Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

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Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

A renewed chieftaincy tussle in Muye village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, has sparked violent confrontations between rival supporters, prompting swift intervention by security operatives.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the crisis began around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday when the deposed village head, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir Maigari II, forcefully returned to Muye and broke into the palace.

The incident provoked tension among residents, especially after supporters of the current Dakachi confronted the deposed monarch. The situation was immediately brought under control by a team of security personnel from Lapai.

However, Zagazola learnt that the situation escalated on Friday morning when supporters of both camps clashed again, leading to a free-for-all fight that disrupted public peace in the community.

Security sources were swiftly deployed to Muye to restore normalcy.

“The combined security teams have brought the situation under control. Monitoring and surveillance operations are ongoing to prevent further breakdown of law and order,” the source said.

No casualties or arrests have been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

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Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

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Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

By: Michael Mike

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.

The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.

The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.

The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.

The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.

According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.

The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.

It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
End

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Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

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Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

By: Michael Mike

A community leader and the Waziri Mushere of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chief Yohana Margif has expressed dismay over the incessant killing of innocent citizens of the community.

Margif made this known in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene to halt what he described as genocide against the people, which he said was being perpetrated by suspected herdsmen.

Margif also called on Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, and other security chiefs in the country, to rein in the alleged culprits.

He said: “I would like to draw the attention of the topmost leadership in Nigeria to the deteriorating dire security situation in Plateau, particularly in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos LGA.

“I urge President Tinubu to take immediate decisive action to halt these endless and senseless killings, protect lives and properties, and secure the future of the Mushere people, and other victims of obvious genocide against the people.

“Herdsmen are killing our innocent people, burning their homes, looting their foodstuff, property, livestock, and taking over their ancestral lands,” he said.

According to the Abuja-based real estate mogul, the attacks and attendant killings have intensified recently since the onset of this year’s farming season.

Margif further said that the people had been displaced from their villages and ancestral homes and were forced to become internally displaced persons in the country.

He emphasised that the situation required immediate intervention by all stakeholders in order to prevent further escalation and inflict an irredeemable harm by wiping out the entire community from the surface of the earth.

He lamented that: “Since President Tinubu’s administration began, Plateau State has witnessed an unprecedented escalation of violence and loss of lives.

“This is the current sad reality. Our people are constantly under the threat of the enemy’s bullets and can’t sleep with two eyes closed due to the perpetual unleashing of violence against them by external forces.

“Something urgent must be done to stem the tide of violence and end this war against the people in order not to
harm this administration’s reputation,” Margif said.

In the past couple of days, suspected herdsmen militia killed no fewer than 35 people in the localities of Hokk, Pangkap, Fokoldep, Kopmur, Margif, Horop, Mbor, Mushere and Kwahas localities in Mushere Chiefdom.

Chairman, Bokkos Community Peace Observers, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the killings to newsmen, said the victims included a 70-year-old Pastor of COCIN LCC Kwakas-Mushere, Mimang Lekyil, who was attacked and killed in the church.

He said that the pastor’s wife was also shot in the leg and was admitted at the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment, he said.

“Bokkos has never been this insecure, with the people being butchered as we are currently witnessing,” Lilian Madaki, from the Mushere community told journalists.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Emmanuel Adesina, also confirmed the incident in a statement saying security forces including police and military personnel, had been deployed in the affected communities.

Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

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