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Over 50 pastors, members reacts to demolition of EYN Church in Maiduguri
Over 50 pastors, members reacts to demolition of EYN Church in Maiduguri
More than 50 pastors/ clergymen and thousands of youth groups mostly from different denominational Churches have on Friday morning converged at the demolished site of Local Church of Brethern, LCB, under Ekkliziyan Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), a.k.a Church of Brethern Maduganari ward in Borno state to pray and seek God’s intervention.
The church members who were not happy with the outing of BOGIS and what happened on Thursday that led to the shooting of church members called on Borno state Government under the leadership of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to immediately reconstruct the destroyed Church building, its pure water factory and security post among other facilities hitherto bulldozed by officials of Borno Geographic Information System (BOGIS).
Recall that there were outright condemnation in strong terms, the demolition of the church and subsequent firing of gunshots by a member of Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, as well as some persons who hurled stones at the task force during an encounter on Thursday with officials of BOGIS, led by its Executive Secretary, Engineer Adam Bababe, in which one person (Ezekiel Bitrus aged 29) died, while four persons are currently hospitalized.
This is coming at the instances where Borno State Governor, Zulum on Thursday in a state-wide broadcast appealed for calm, and ordered for an immediate investigation into the matter, so as to punish anyone found wanting.
The governor has equally delegated his Deputy, Umar Kadafur who visited the victims in the hospital and ordered for settlement of their medical bills.
Addressing Journalists at the demolished site of the Church on Friday, The Reverend Pastor in charge of EYN Maduganari, Reverend Shawulu Auta Ndahi condemned the killing of one of his church members who attempted to protect the Church from demolition, stressing that, there is nothing worth on earth that can compensate life, hence he requested the State Government to immediately assist the families of the deceased and those who sustained gunshot wounds currently receiving treatment at a State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri.
“We have gathered here today to express our displeasure over what has happened to our Church and its members.
“Yesterday (Thursday) morning at about 11 am, we received a distress call that some officials of BOGIS in the company of some CJTF and Graders came and demolished our Church with all facilities destroyed.
“In the process, some of our members started hurling stones at the officials of BOGIS, before Some CJTF members opened fire after seizing their communication gadgets, which led to the killing of Mr. Ezekiel Bitrus, May His Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.
“In view of these unwholesome conduct, we are hereby displaying all our Certificate of Occupancy and other relevant Documents used in acquiring this land which are legal documents.
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” Therefore, as a Church which believes in Peace and Unity, we have some immediate demands from Governor Zulum to; Immediately reconstruct our demolished Church and other facilities including our pure water factory.
“Although, there is nothing worth on earth that can compensate life, we requested the State Government to immediately assist the families of the deceased and those who sustained gunshot wounds currently receiving treatment at a State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri.
” We called on the state government to immediately remove Engineer Adam Bababe from heading BOGIS which is an agency of government tasked with the responsibility of land maintenance.
“The Church which has 99% of its membership and citizens of Borno, also want the State Government to lift the ban for the teaching of Christian Religious Knowledge(CRK) in all our Primary and Secondary schools as it has been the practice in the past, as the constitution allows for freedom of worship in the country.” The Reverend Pastor stated.
Also in his own address, the Youth CAN Chairman Metro, Mr. Sunday Ishaku while making his condemnation on behalf of Christian Youth Groups, prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and quick recovery for those who sustained injuries during the avoidable fracas.
Ishaku however passed a vote of no confidence on the CAN Chairman led by Bishop Naga, whom he alleged took some officials/individuals to meet with Governor Zulum some hours after the incident at the Government House just for their selfish interest.
“We are disappointed with the CAN leadership under the Chairmanship of Bishop Mohammed Naga, because as I address you today, Bishop Naga has failed to officially come out with a statement regarding this unwholesome treatment meted to us by BOGIS and men of CJTF”. Ishaku alleged.
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.
Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.
She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.
According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.
She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.
“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.
“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.
While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.
She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.
The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.
“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.
Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.
Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.
She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.
The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
By: Michael Mike
Senior Government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have today met in Abuja to assess the vibrant economic partnership between the two parties and chart a way forward.
The inaugural Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Trade and investment Dialogue (TID) was anchored by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, and Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE), Ms Dora Correia,
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot,, welcomed the launch of the Dialogue, which they said underscored the growing importance attached to trade and investment in the EU-Nigeria partnership.
This Senior Officials’ meeting marks an important step in strengthening the trade and investment partnership between the EU and Nigeria, and provided opportunity for the officials to exchange views on areas of mutual interest; address potential challenges and explore opportunities for further collaboration.
Discussions focused on a range of issues, including trade and investment policy, cooperation on market access barriers and requirements, preferential trade and investment arrangements, investment, collaboration within the World Trade Organization (WTO), regulatory measures that could impact trade and investment, and the identification of trade and investment-related development cooperation areas.
Both sides expressed their interest to continue the Dialogue, with the second TID billed to take place in Brussels, Belgium, in 2026, on a date to be jointly decided.
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st of October as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on this historic occasion.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, enjoined citizens to continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960.
He urged Nigerians to further keep faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which is anchored on national rebirth, economic transformation, and collective prosperity.
The Minister expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of all Nigerians, the country will continue to grow stronger in peace, progress, and development.
He wished Nigerians a happy and memorable 2025 Independence Day celebration.
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
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