Archbishop Ibezim Calls For Increased Security In Southeast


The Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Archbishop Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, has called for increased security across the country, especially the Southeast.

The Archbishop made the call during the anniversary of his 10 years of Enthronement as bishop and one year Archiepiscopacy in the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger.
He said that there had been incidents of kidnapping and killings across the land and called on governments to address the situation by beefing up security in the country.

In a sermon on the anniversary, the Awka Diocesan Synod Secretary, Venerable Clement Mgbemena, laudable the achievements of the Archbishop’s 10 years in service to the Awka diocese, noting that 1987, 2010 and 2020 were remarkable dates in the life and history of the diocese as they recorded the birth of the diocese, the year of Ibezim’s first episcopacy and then his archiepiscopacy.
Charting the way forward for the growth of the diocese, Mgbemena advised Christians with grievances to sheath their sword and work for peace.
He also highlighted the need to build a befitting palace for Archbishops, also urging the diocese to consider adopting Paul University, Awka as its pet project.
The diocesan synod secretary beckoned on the church authority to consider creation of a new diocese so as to widen the scope of evangelism.
Speaking to the congregation, Archbishop Ibezim said that he had learnt a lot during the last 10 years and added that his testimonies were limitless as God had never failed him in his service.
He noted that his life was more precious than gifts and advised Christians to be security conscious in this Yuletide warning that the country had recorded rapid increase in crime rates and other security challenges.
Archbishop Ibezim noted that he chose a low-key celebration of the anniversary because of the situation of things in the country. He urged Nigerians to shun ostentatious lifestyle and devote their time to the service of God, reminding the congregation about the reported increase in COVID-19 cases and the need to observe the various preventive measures against the pandemic.
He said that he derived pleasure in the service of God and urged both the clergy and the laity to join him in the work in the Lord’s vineyard if they were truly servants of God.

“If you have worked with me this 10 years, work with me for the remaining years. My greatest joy is that I’m working in my father’s compound.

“I don’t want gifts from people because I have so many testimonies. It is a thanksgiving to God because God has blessed us.”




Archbishop Chibuzo Ibezim with wife, Chioma Ibezim and other clergies Cutting the Anniversary cake
Speaking with newsmen, the bishop’s wife, Martha Chioma Ibezim, said the day was remarkable to the entire family and urged the clergy and Christians, who may have encountered challenges in the course of their efforts, to propagate the gospel of God, to be steadfast and unmoved.
Recall that His Grace, Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, was consecrated Bishop on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Asaba. He was also enthroned into the ‘see’ of the Diocese of Awka on Monday, November 22, 2010.

Archbishop Ibezim was later, in 2019, elected the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos and was presented on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at the same cathedral church of St. Peter, Asaba.

The anniversary was marked with a Holy Communion and thanksgiving service at Our Saviours Church, Emmaus House, Awka.
The climax of the anniversary was thanksgiving, cutting of the anniversary cake and inter archdeaconry choir competition at St. Faiths Cathedral, Awka.

#orientdailynews

Children’s Future Is Our Top Priority – UNICEF

The United Nations International Children and Emergency Fund, UNICEF, says it is committed to ensuring a better future for all Nigerian children in line with the Convention on the Right of the Child (CRC), submitting that their welfare and development remained a top priority.

The Chief of UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Dr Ibrahim Conteh, made the remarks in Calabar at the weekend during this year’s World Children Day celebration, organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs, and which had the theme ‘A Global Day of Action for Children by Children.’

Conteh reiterated that the concern for better future for children globally caused the international body to adopt the Declaration of the Right of the Child on November 20, 1959 and subsequent adoption of Convention on the Right of the Child (CRC) in 1998 by the UN General Assembly.

“As we mark World Children’s Day 2020, we face a very different situation to previous years. COVID-19 is a child rights crisis and I thank you all for your commitment to protecting children from the impacts of this pandemic.

“Our post-pandemic rebuilding must meet the scale of this moment by overcoming our differences, and working across generations – to shape a world fit for every child to grow, develop and thrive.

“Children may be masked, but they are not muted. This World Children’s Day, we follow their lead and commit to working together to reimagine a better future,” he said.



Conteh, who was represented by Mr Victor Atuchukwu, child protection specialist, noted that UNICEF has four guiding principles to ensure implementation of these goals, and enumerated such principles to include non-discrimination of children no matter colour, tribe, religious belief; taking the best interests of the child into consideration in all things; the right to life, survival and development; and children’s right to express their views in all matters of issues affecting them.

“World Children Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20th November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness amongst children worldwide and improving children welfare,” he said.

The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon Rita Agbo Ayim, in her remarks, urged children to come forward with ideas on how government could impact on them for a better future but lamented that the lean resources at government’s disposals were hindering many development plans to give the leaders of tomorrow what could constitute an ideal world for them.

In their different reactions, children who were drawn from many secondary schools in Calabar, opined that their ideal world entails drastic reduction in mass suffering, elimination of pervading corruption and insecurity in the country, and creation of political atmosphere to enable youths to be at the helms of affairs politically and economically.

“The old generation in government has refused to retire. They would always have old mindsets which are not in tandem with the 21st century internet world.

“Lack of electricity in our cities, worsening bad roads, high level insecurity, collapsed educational system and many other challenges are legacies of the old generation. We appeal to UNICEF to talk to our political leaders to give us an opportunity to reverse the trend for the sake of our future,” Faith Otu, an SS III student of Sacred Heart Girls Int’l Secondary school, Calabar, said.

#orientdailynews

Nsukka Unity Rally: NASS Members, Nwodo, Ayogu Eze Support Ugwuanyi

…Say they are solidly behind the governor

The people of Enugu North (Nsukka) Senatorial District of Enugu State, from all walks of life, converged on Nsukka High School, for a Unity Rally in honour of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and unanimously declared their support for the governor, reassuring him they are solidly behind him.

The people of Nsukka also applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for his administration’s sustained efforts in developing the zone, which they said had been marginalized. They also praised the governor for entrenching peace and good governance in the entire state.

Speaking at the well attended rally, some of the leaders of Enugu North Senatorial District told Gov. Ugwuanyi that the entire people of Nsukka zone are united and proud of his remarkable achievements in the area and the state in spite of the nation's economic, security and public health challenges, reiterating their unalloyed support for him.

The leaders who spoke at the event include the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, Senator Chukwuka Utazi; the former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ayogu Eze; former governor of old Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; the member representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Pat Asadu; the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; the Bishops of Nsukka Catholic and Anglican Dioceses, Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah and Most Rev. Aloysius Agbo respectively; the Nsukka Professors, 145 traditional rulers in the zone who came with their cabinet members, and the Chairman of Odinma Nsukka that organized the event, Chief Vita Abba, among others.

Speaking, Senator Ayogu Eze told Gov. Ugwuanyi that “this gathering is to reassure you that your people are solidly behind you” charging him to “march on” and “move on”.

Senator Eze who stated that he was very happy to be alive to witness the event where every Nsukka man gathered in unity to show support and solidarity to one of their own, in the person of Gov. Ugwuanyi, also charged the governor to continue with his laudable vision for the zone and the state.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Odinma Nsukka, Engr. Abba, pointed out that the group felt that it was imperative that Nsukka people should unite and come together to support their own, encourage and offer prayers for his continued success till the end of his tenure, declaring that “our support for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is irrevocable”.

On his part, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General, Chief Nwodo, spoke in the same direction, reemphasizing the need for the people of Nsukka zone to unite and rally round the governor, saying: “We were marginalized in the past but Gov. Ugwuanyi has wiped away our tears”.

The former governor of old Enugu State, Dr. Nwodo said that it was a thing of joy that he was alive to see an Nsukka governor after him, and urged the people of Nsukka zone to also unite and take advantage of the numerical strength to give Gov. Ugwuanyi the maximum support he deserves.

Reaffirming their firm support for Gov. Ugwuanyi, the 145 traditional rulers in Enugu North Senatorial District told the governor, who they described as a “worthy son”, that “we are solidly behind you” and pledged the consistent support and prayers, saying: “Wherever you are going, we will go with you”.

Speaking on behalf of the Nsukka Professors, Prof. Fabian Onah thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for his massive infrastructural development in Enugu State, maintaining that “we are solidly behind you and we will continue to pray for you to realize more successes in this last lap of your tenure”.

Other speakers, such as Senator Utazi, Rt. Hon. Asadu, Bishop Onah and Bishop Agbo, also extolled the governor’s leadership qualities and assured him of the unalloyed support and solidarity of the people of the zone.

Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi thanked the people of Nsukka zone for their demonstration of love, support, solidarity and goodwill and reassured them of his administration's commitment to the sustenance of peace, unity and good governance in the state.

Enugu State is in the hands of God!

Bode George Faults Akande, Osoba, Others’ Visit To Buhari In The Vila


Former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has faulted the visit of chieftain of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), namely, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, and Dr. Yomi Finnih to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Vila, Abuja, urging the president not to fall for those who, he said, would eclipse the main issue bedeviling Lagos State in a needless, partisan engagement.


Reports had indicated that the party chieftain visited President Buhari on Friday, but the subject and outcome of the parley, which held behind closed door was unknown.

George made this call on Saturday in a statement titled: ‘The jamboree visit to the Villa: My Birthday Offering,’ describing the visit by APC leaders as needless, unnecessary and veiled in some poorly hidden agenda towards “ulterior personalized desperation.”

George posited that the very absence of the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the parley made it is easy for people to discern that the visit was stripped of any patriotic progression, lacking in balanced national leadership, voided of a spirit of sacrifice and developmental vision.

“The visit of Chief Bisi Akande, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Dr. Yomi Finnih and Chief Segun Osoba to the seat of power in Abuja is needless, unnecessary, veiled in some poorly hidden agenda that is woven in apparently self-serving ulterior personalized desperation.

“It is easy to discern that the visit is stripped of any patriotic progression, lacking in balanced national leadership, voided of a spirit of sacrifice and developmental vision.

“The very absence of Bola Tinubu from the jamboree screams to high heavens that the meeting itself is a covert placatory softening of the ground for Tinubu himself. I am pretty certain that in his very absence, Tinubu occupies the centrality of the discussion.

“President Muhammadu Buhari should not fall for those who would eclipse the main issue wracking Lagos State in a needless, solicitous self immersed scheming in partisan engagement,” the PDP chieftain stated.

George, who is also the Atọna Oodua of Yorubaland, alleged that the the very pivot of the Lagosian malady was the reckless, irresponsible misappropriation of the people’s commonwealth, adding: “This much I have documented in several public interventions.”

“This, I may add, contributed to the heightened scale of the disgruntlement and the anger of the youths who made the Lekki Toll Gates the very symbol of their rejection of the politics of subjugation,” he added.

“I will advise Baba Akande who governed Ọsun State with principled, incorruptible leadership to kindly help us drop off Bola Tinubu at Iragbiji as he makes his way back to Ila-Ọrangun, rather than engaging in fruitless pleading sessions for a man who is fixated on a warped pipe-dream about governing Nigeria. This is my humble birthday offering,” he added further.


#nationonline

Mainland Hospital: We Are Not Allowed To Release Bodies Of #endsars Protesters

The management of Mainland Hospital, Lagos, says it received a directive from the state Ministry of Health not to release corpses of suspected #endsars protesters.

Our correspondent visited the Mainland Hospital after the Chief Coroner of Lagos State, Mrs. Mojisola Dada, via a public announcement, directed relatives who had lost loved ones between October 19th and 27thto visit the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital to identify and claim bodies of their loved ones.

The #endsars protests had lasted between October 7th and 20th in Lagos and several other states of the federation.

While the protests lasted, relations, friends and associates of missing persons claimed their relations had either been killed or held incommunicado by security agents.

Of particular concern was the Lekki toll gate shooting of Tuesday, October 20, where peaceful #endsars protesters were shot at by security agents, leading to yet-to-be ascertained number of casualties.

The shooting incident had attracted national and international outcry, with the Lagos State and Federal governments being urged to unravel the identity of the shooters and who deployed them.

The public notice by the Lagos State coroner did not, however, state if the bodies that had been scheduled for release also included those of persons who died during the #endsars protest.

It reads in part, “This is to notify the General Public that the Chief Coroner of Lagos State, Hon Justice M. A. Dada (Mrs.) pursuant to Section 15, Coroner’s System Law of Lagos State, 2015 the Pathology Team would want all those who have lost loved ones between 19th – 27th October 2020 (that is, next-of-kin of the victims) to provide relevant information that would assist the identification exercise.

“The next-of kin should kindly contact the Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja for the identification exercise of the Deceased.”

When our correspondent visited the Mainland Hospital mortuary in Yaba, Lagos, on Friday, the front desk staff said there was a clear directive from the state government for dieners [morgue attendants] to release only the bodies of those who died before and after the #endsars protests.

When our correspondent spoke with the Medical Director of Mainland Hospital, Dr. Abimbola Bowale, he maintained what the mortuary attendant had said.

“It is only the commissioner (of health) or even Mr. Governor that can release the body to you, Sir. So, you will have to contact him,” he said.

All efforts to reach the Commissioner of Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; and Director, Public Affairs at the state health ministry, Mr. Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, were unsuccessful.

#puncnhng

FG To Slash Levy On Imported Cars To 5% From 35%

The federal government has concluded plans to slash the levy to be paid on imported cars from 35 percent to five percent.

This is contained in the draft bill of the 2020 finance bill to be presented to the national assembly.

The bill becomes law after it is passed by the legislature and assented by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Details of the bill shared by the presidency also show that the import duty of tractors and motor vehicles for the transportation of goods has been slashed from 35 percent to 10 percent.

The bill also grants tax relief to companies that donated to the COVID-19 relief fund under the private sector-led Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

To improve ease of doing business, the bill also proposes that software acquisition now qualifies as capital expenditure.

Zainab Ahmed, the minister of finance, budget, and national planning, had previously explained that the reduction in import duties and levies is targeted at reducing the cost of transportation.

“The reason for us is to reduce the cost of transportation which is a major driver of inflation especially food production,” she told state house correspondents at the end of the federal executive council (FEC) on Wednesday, November 18.

In 2019, Hameed Ali, the comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service had urged the federal government to reduce the levy paid on imported cars to 10 percent.

At the time, Ali argued that the levy, which is paid in addition to the 35 percent import duty, has discouraged importers; causing them to divert their importation to neighbouring countries and heightened smuggling.

Recession: SERAP Asks Buhari To Cut Cost Of Governance, Not Public Services

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him “to put the country’s resources at the service of human rights, and to support the less well-off to enjoy an adequate standing of living through cutting the cost of governance and implementing bold transparency and accountability measures in your government’s response to Nigeria’s second recession in five years.”

In the letter dated 21 November, 2020 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “This economic crisis provides an opportunity to prioritise access of poor and vulnerable Nigerians to basic socio-economic rights, and to genuinely recommit to the fight against corruption. The country cannot afford getting back to business as usual.”

SERAP said: “Implementing human rights, transparency and accountability measures would save money, address projected adverse human rights impacts of the recession, and fast-track the economic recovery process. It is not too late to take urgent measures that would put the country’s wealth and resources to work for the common good of all Nigerians.”

According to SERAP: “Decades of mismanagement and corruption, and deep-seated deficiencies in public financial management have directly contributed to higher levels of borrowing and public debts, and consequently, the economic recession. Successive governments have squandered the promise afforded by the country’s natural wealth and resources.”

The letter, read in part: “The paltry resources Nigeria invests in essential public goods and services that would benefit ordinary Nigerians can be partly explained by the high spending of public funds to finance a life of luxury for members of the National Assembly, state governors, and other powerful politicians.”

“The country’s resources appear to have been used almost exclusively for the benefit of the political elites rather than on projects that would ensure the right to an adequate standard of living, the maximum welfare, prosperity, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality.”

“SERAP is seriously concerned about the adverse consequences of the economic crisis on the human rights of poor and vulnerable Nigerians, including denying them access to essential public goods and services such as healthcare, education, clean water, and regular electricity supply.”

“We would be grateful if your government begins to implement the recommended action and measures within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then as to the steps being taken in this direction, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to implement these recommendations for the sake of human rights, transparency and accountability.”

“Nigeria has been poorly governed for many years, with systemic and widespread corruption at all levels of government, contributing to failures by successive governments to deliver essential public goods and services to Nigerians, contrary to the country’s constitution and human rights and anti-corruption obligations.”

“Huge budgetary allocations to fund security votes, renovate the National Assembly complex, pay jumbo salaries and allowances to members of the National Assembly, and life pensions to former governors and their deputies, as well as massive corruption in ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs] contribute to low provisions for health, education and other essential public goods and services.”

“Prioritising the human rights of poor and vulnerable Nigerians means providing public goods and services free of charge for those who cannot afford them. This is the time to prioritise poor and vulnerable Nigerians, and to ensure that any response to the recession goes well beyond bailing out large companies and banks.”

“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and Nigeria’s international obligations, including under the UN Convention against Corruption, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as the UN Guiding principles on human rights impact assessments of economic reforms.”

“Your government ought to have taken full advantage of court judgments ordering the full recovery of stolen public funds, recovery of life pensions collected by former governors and their deputies, and mandating your government to hold to account corrupt electricity contractors and companies that collected billions of naira but disappeared with public funds without executing any projects.”

“The continuing failure to enforce these judgments has contributed to increasing level of borrowing, and in the process, the inability to fulfil the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations to progressively realize the human rights of poor and vulnerable Nigerians, including their rights to affordable and decent health care, clean water, adequate sanitation, and education.”

“As the National Bureau of Statistics stated, the country’s GDP recorded a negative growth of 3.62 per cent in the third quarter of 2020. The country had earlier recorded a 6.10 per cent contraction in the second quarter.”

“SERAP therefore urges you to prioritise citizens’ socio-economic rights and undertake comprehensive reform to stem grand corruption including in MDAs, hold corrupt electricity contractors to hold, fully recover all stolen public funds, and life pensions collected by former governors and their deputies, and ensure a transparent and accountable spending of any recovered public funds on projects that will directly benefit poor and vulnerable Nigerians.”

SERAP also urged President Buhari to:

1. Increase investment in public health, the healthcare system, education services, provision of clean water and other basic public goods and services that will benefit majority of the population;

2. Re-direct budgetary allocations to renovate the National Assembly complex and take urgent steps to ensure that essential public goods and services are available to poor and vulnerable Nigerians;

3. Improve transparency and quality of information in government budgets and reform public financial management to bring it in line with international standards, and safeguard the right of media and civil society to speak out against corruption and human rights abuses;

4. Direct the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to urgently undertake a downward review of remuneration and allowances of all political office holders including President, Vice-President state governors and their deputies, and members of the National Assembly, consistent with the provisions of paragraph N, 32[c][d] of the Third Schedule, Part 1 of the Nigerian Constitution;

5. Regularly and widely publish full accounts of projected and actual government revenues and expenditures;

6. Immediately instruct the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to jointly investigate allegations of systemic and widespread corruption in MDAs, as documented by the Auditor-General of the Federation, and to ensure effective prosecution of those suspected to be involved, and recovery of any stolen public funds;

7. Ensure independence of the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation

#serap