The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday passed a total of ₦1,768,014,155,285 as the budget for 2023 with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, thanking the lawmakers for their collective sacrifice and the swiftness with which the Appropriation Bill was handled.
A breakdown of the approved budget size shows the sum of
N748,096,508,571 as Recurrent expenditure and N1,019,917,646,713 as Capital expenditure for the year
ending 31st December, 2023.
A part of the breakdown for the sectoral allocations also shows that N3,228,396,960 was approved as the new Overhead Cost of the Office of Civic Engagement for drug abuse advocacy.
The sum of N802,987,206 was approved as the new Capital Expenditure of the Ministry
of Economic Planning & Budget while N1,200,000,000 was approved as the new Overhead Cost (Social Intervention
and Humanitarian Programme) in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.
Dr. Obasa, who presided over the plenary, said the passion with which the lawmakers processed the bill for passage showed their love for the progress of Lagos State.
He also expressed hope that residents of the State would show their satisfaction with the lawmakers and the All Progressives Congress (APC) by voting for candidates of the party in Lagos and at the centre during the forthcoming election.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had in October presented the sum of N1.69 trillion ‘budget of continuity’ to the House.
While receiving the proposal from the Governor, Speaker Obasa had urged that the 2023 budget “should have more human face, be targeted at reducing poverty and improving the welfare of the residents of the State as part of the THEMES agenda of the administration.”
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
SENATOR YUSUF ABUBAKAR YUSUF PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO NAMMBO IN ABUJA
Sen. Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf (APC, Taraba Central), Chairman Senate Committee on Special Duties, paid a courtesy visit to the National Mass Movement for Better Orientation (NAMMBO), at The National Head Office located at No:20 Birnin Kebbi Crescent Garki Abuja office on Saturday,10th December, 2022, he was ably received by the National Executives of the organisation ably led by its National Coordinator, Dr. Hajiya Hauwa Bagu Hayatu, the Deputy National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, the National Secretary Mallam Junaidu Kadi as well as all other national executive members of the organisation present.
NAMMBO was formed in order to play the role of uniting Nigerians in the realisation of Good Governance at all levels and tiers, with special attention on the forthcoming 2023 General Elections.
Sen. Yusuf was impressed with the organisational structure of the outfit, he spoke glowingly of NAMMBO’s preparedness towards mobilising for the forthcoming elections.
On Sen.Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf’s entourage were:
Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Na’ahwai,
Hon. Usman Biri,
Hon. Hamza Zubairu,
Hon. Aliyu Zubairu,
Muhammad Adamu (Barrister),
Hon. Ibrahim Iya (Mambila),
Hon. Mahabub Sani Fari, and
Hon.Ibrahim Adamu Takalafiya
Hon. Emma Sale Garba Chede
Princess Nafisa Abdullah
NAMMBO (National Mass Movement for Better Orientation) is committed to mobilizing and sensitizing Nigerians to participate in the decision making process particularly as it concerns how citizens are governed and is dedicated to promoting good governance, economic growth, security of lives and property, rule of law, empowerment of the women and youth.
Therefore NAMMBO will be playing a vital role of educating and mobilizing Nigerians to participate in the coming elections, so as to elect able leaders at all levels of governance.
I hate praise-singing or flattery, because I believe they are traits and habits of sycophants. But every writer is also, by nature, a reporter; we always love to document our experiences, either good or bad. Hence, this piece is about my encounter with Seyi Tinubu, son of APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is about what stood out for me and, of course, my general impression of the young, successful businessman.
Economist and author, Tope Fasua once narrated how Asiwaju Bola Tinubu sought him out after reading some of his commentaries on the article he (Asiwaju) had written about some economic policies. My path to Seyi followed a similar pattern. I had written an article in which I observed that Seyi was doing a good job of upholding his father’s legacy of human cultivation which, for me, has been the biggest secret of Asiwaju’s humongous political network and powerbase.
I sent a link to the writeup to one of the closest guys around Seyi Tinubu, who also happens to be a personal friend. He obviously shared the article with Seyi and requested him to see me when next he was in Abuja. He granted his request and when, on Tuesday, my friend confirmed that he was in town, he asked me to come with him to the ‘Youth House’ to meet a man I had always admired for his breathtaking and compelling entrepreneurial success in marketing communications, a sector I also happen to have more than a passing interest.
I am, by nature, an observer rather than a researcher. Most of my writings are personal commentaries on events and people. And having observed how deeply invested Seyi Tinubu had been in his father’s campaigns for the country’s topmost job, the Presidency, I had initially planned to write about how his active involvement in the electioneering process is changing the almost established narrative of children of politicians not joining political struggles.
With captions such as “Seyi Tinubu inaugurates youth campaign office in Kano,” “Seyi Tinubu leads one million man march for Tinubu,” “Seyi Tinubu plans youth engagement forum for Tinubu,” etc dominating newspaper headlines; then you know that when the story is written about those who make Asiwaju’s victory possible, none would arguably deserve more praises and commendation than his own son. Possibly for the first time in our nation’s political history, the biological son of a politician is joining the campaign fray, jettisoning the ‘Ajebota’ practice of having children of political candidates hide away while others work their hearts out for the victory of their parents.
But beyond what is being reported in the media, what I saw on Tuesday at The Youth House clearly validated the claims Seyi made in some of his interviews, about working hard to be his own man, and how he was determined to create his own legacy and not tie himself to his “father’s apron.” I now know that those were not just mere talks. On that Tuesday, as I saw Seyi Tinubu working his hearts out, subjecting himself to a most hectic and grueling schedule and enjoying the thrill of the struggles of life which must have made his father into the accomplished political enigma he is today; I concluded that it would be most unfair for anyone to belittle the achievements of this hardworking man simply on account of his surname.
I am sure many of us must be familiar with stories of rich kids who are totally disinterested in their own progress, not to talk of those of others, parents or not. But Seyi is one of the few exceptions, he has shown that he has a large dose of fighting spirit in him, and he is working hard to take charge of his life, fully secure in the knowledge that he is not responsible for what happened before he was born. He must have resolved not to let the judgements of others, about whether or not his success was a consequence of his family name, get him down.
In one of his recollections of the lessons he learnt from his parents, Seyi once told a reporter: “That’s how my dad raised us to be. We were all told from day one: once you are done with school, that’s all we can give you.” But in truth, Seyi did get more than a good education from his father, the Jagaban. He learnt the secret of loyalty cultivation and the benefit of investing in people.
As every good student of business and management should know, the best investment, one which yields the greatest return, is in people. This is the skill that is hardest to cultivate, but one which represents the greatest source of strength for every powerful individual; and one whose core foundation is the exclusive focus on what matters which, to most people, is their welfare and wellbeing.
It is said that for a leader to earn the loyalty of his followers, he must be able to show that if they (the followers) are ready to die for him, he would at least also be willing to faint for them. A leader focuses not so much on what matters to him as a person, but rather on what matters to those who follows him. By showing concern about the wellbeing of his followers, a leader is able to cultivate loyalty and dedication. This is one secret Seyi Tinubu has mastered.
I visited him the same day he arrived Abuja, so the crowd of people I saw was quite expected. There were quite a number of groups waiting to see him, aside those with individual appointments. The Youth House witnessed a beehive of activities on the day in question, and Seyi was obviously looking very tired and overworked. When it was my turn to see him, he first explained why the meeting would have to be brief, almost apologizing that he was filling sick. But in spite of the ‘crazy’ schedule he had ran for the day and the telling effect it was having on his physical appearance; Seyi still remember to ask me, after we were done talking, whether “everything was fine with me.” I couldn’t believe someone that stressed out, and who still had a lot of people waiting to see him, would care to know how someone was faring at that busy moment. I was impressed!
I left The Youth House with the impression that Seyi is, indeed, an unusual silver spoon kid. While most rich kids are brash and arrogant, Seyi is courteous, polite and friendly. He also has one of the strongest work ethics I have seen in any young man of my generation. No doubt, beyond his success as a politician, I believe Jagaban has done a wonderful job in the home front as well, raising a man like Seyi who treats every man with dignity while living a life of inspiration and meaning.
Tears As Lagos Lawmakers Hold Valedictory Session For Late Colleague
It was a solemn moment filled with tears at the House of Assembly on Thursday as lawmakers held a valedictory session for their late colleague, Hon. Abdul-Sobur Olayiwola Olawale.
Before performing the ceremonial removal of his name tag from his seat, the lawmakers, who held a minute silence in honour of Olawale, also urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to assist two children of the deceased with jobs and scholarship for the one who still in school.
Hon. Olawale died in Jos, Plateau State recently and was buried according to Islamic rites.
The lawmakers thanked Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State for standing by them till the body was moved to Lagos. They also thanked the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his wife, Ibijoke, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, his wife, Falilat and all those who stood by the family of the deceased.
Raising the lawmaker’s demise in a motion, Majority Leader of the House, Sanai Agunbiade, described Olawale as an angel who did not show his identity.
Agunbiade said: “At a time just before our trip to Jos, I had headache and he showed a lot of care. He even told someone that he would be in Lagos before dawn.
We got to Jos together, had our activity. He did not show any sign of illness.”
Hon. Victor Akande recalled how Olawale joined him and the others at the airport before the trip.
“I was the one that called Omititi that it was time for us to go to the airport. I was with Hon. Jude Idimogu. He immediately asked me if I had taken my drugs and even showed me where to get water. He even helped one of us to get his boarding pass,” Akande said.
The lawmaker denied a report that the late Olawale owed a local government chairman.
“He was a real friend. We were together in Jos till I told him I was going to use the restroom. He was even telling someone to come and meet him in the office the next day,” he added.
Hon. Rotimi Olowo described his late colleague as one who loved his family.
“His parents died early, but he persevered and went to school. He was preparing for his daughter’s wedding and inside the plane when we heard of the death of Iya Oniyan, (APC chieftain who died recently) he promised to visit her home when he returned not knowing that he too was left with few hours.
“We must learn not to hide things from our wives. If you have money and your family does not know, strangers would feast on it when you’re gone. Let’s learn to love like Olawale did,” he said.
Hon. Kehinde Joseph, who said he and the late lawmaker were both planning for the wedding of the latter’s daughter, added: “We played football on Friday, we were at the retreat on Saturday to Monday and he died on Tuesday.
He was never an angry person. There was nothing he could not give for love. If you look at his death, you would want to ask what the essence of our toiling is.”
Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, while recalling the bond he shared with the deceased, said: “I stand here in sadness because while I represent Mushin 1, Omititi represented Mushin 2 and we were close. He was very accountable.”
Hon. Richard Kasunmu said the night before Olawale’s death, “We played and joked till 12 midnight and I even tapped him and told him I was going to sleep. I greeted him goodnight, not knowing that would be the final from me. He was a brother. He would call me everyday to check on me.”
Hon. Temitope Adewale described the late lawmaker as one who was patient and never had time for quarrels. His position was supported by Hon. David Setonji, Yinka Ogundimu, Noheem Adams and others who spoke.
Meanwhile, the House also confirmed Saheed Adio, a former lawmaker, as Commissioner in the House of Assembly Commission.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Jigawa Flood: Abdul Samad Rabiu to the Rescue Again
Leading African Industrialist, philanthropist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, through his ASR Africa Initiative, has donated a 200million Naira to the Jigawa State Flood Disaster Committee to provide emergency relief efforts for those affected by the recent flooding across the state. This donation by ASR Africa will be channelled towards support for internally displaced persons, provision of food items, medicine, and rebuilding communities destroyed by the recent floods.
Speaking on the donation, Abdul Samad Rabiu, said that the adverse impact of climate change remains a clear and present danger to human security and development in the global south. “Nigeria, and Africa, contribute less than 6% of global emissions yet bear the biggest brunt of the negative impact of climate change. The recent flooding in Jigawa and elsewhere across Nigeria, and Africa are a pointer to that. Whilst we must continue to advocate for a better deal at all levels for countries most affected by climate change, we have a responsibility towards our people to mitigate the impact of the recent floods on them and their livelihood.”
Rabiu went further to state that the 200million Naira donation to Jigawa state will be channelled properly to intended recipients and monitored within the ASR Africa mutual accountability framework to ensure judicious use.
The Governor of Jigawa State, Muhammed Badaru, expressed appreciation for the donation, and urged the committee to be equitable and just in the distribution of the palliatives and cash.
Over the past three years, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative’s fund for Social Development and Renewal, and the BUA Foundation, have actively intervened in various humanitarian activities within Nigeria and Africa from COVID-19-related support to health, education, social development, and security interventions.
Video: Tinubu’s Standout Tactics in Lagos + How He will better Nigeria
He needs no introduction, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a man whose achievements speaks loud, but for those who are not in the know below is a few reel to show how he did it in Lagos and how he will positively impact Nigerians as president.
BUHARI CONGRATULATES FBN ON 40 YEARS OF CROSS-BORDER BANKING IN UK
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Board, Management, and Staff of First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) for cross-border services through FBNBank UK in the United Kingdom for 40 years, sharing almost 130 years of banking experience.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari noted the competence and professionalism that have become the hallmark of the Bank for many years.
This includes winning and retaining the trust of customers in Nigeria, and beyond, like in the United Kingdom, and successfully consolidating on its benchmark of reliability and professionalism.
“As the FBN, United Kingdom celebrates 40 years anniversary, the President believes the strength and buoyancy of any country depend largely on the capacity of the banking sector, extolling the organization for steady rise and expansion, with remarkable awards for transparency, accountability, and reliability,” the statement reads.
Buhari however, congratulates FBNBank UK for the milestone, and well-deserved acceptance and credence, urging the bank to further leverage on its strengths to retain the trust and confidence of the banking public.
FBNBank UK is a wholly owned subsidiary of the First Bank of Nigeria Limited, an African bank with a rich heritage, established in 1894 as the first banking institution in Nigeria.
FBNBank UK is authorised by the UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Operating in the City of London with a branch in Paris and a representative office in Lagos, FBNBank UK provides a range of domestic and international banking and financial services.
Interestingly, it is the international banking and treasury centre of FirstBank and acts as connecting hub between the group and its regulatory, financial and social partners. FBNBank UK equally provides world-class, cross border trade and investment services to institutions, corporates and individuals conducting business in and with Africa’s most dynamic and vibrant economies.
FBNBank UK has been operating in the United Kingdom since 1982 as the London Branch of the First Bank of Nigeria Limited.
It was initially established to service the UK banking requirements of Nigerian companies and FirstBank.
In November 2002, the Bank was incorporated in the UK as a registered and a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Bank of Nigeria Limited with offices in the City of London.
Since then, FBNBank UK has developed into a much broader business in the gateway to Europe and beyond for African banks, companies and high net worth individuals.
Popular Nigerian inspirational musician and philanthropist, Funmi Ayinke has resigned from all forms of service to humanity after twenty years of active service today Monday, 31st of October, 2022. This is coming after she made a revelation last week that there will be a huge announcement today.
In a 22-minute video posted on her YouTube page few hours ago, Funmi Ayinke made it known that started humanitarian services twenty years ago due to the covenant she made with God while she was seeking admission into the prestigious Ladoke Akintola University Of Technology (LAUTECH) in 2001.
She narrated that all her efforts to gain admission proved abortive till she pleaded with God on October 31, 2001 to see her through with a condition that she will serve humanity for twenty years if God is able to help her with admission, secure a good job for her and provide a good family.
According to her, God granted her requests and she started engaging in serious humanitarian activities in a way to fulfil her vows to God.
‘’I want to thank God for this day, October 31st 2022 which is a unique and special day of my life. I recall vividly how the journey started on October 31, 2001t. I told God when I was on LAUTECH campus seeking admission for pre-degree. I tried in 2000 but didn’t get it but in 2001, I was privileged to meet one or two people that God used for me to give me the admission.’’
‘’I remember this day October 31, I went to that campus sad because I was denied admission again, I slept overnight in the school bus, I refused to go home because I wanted to return to tell my mum that I had gotten admission but I didn’t get it. I remember that night around 12:30am in the bus, I woke up and asked God to help me because I planned to approach the pre-degree school again even though I knew nobody. I told God that if he can send someone to help me when I approach the school, I will use twenty years of my life to serve humanity. When I made that appeal, I felt a kind of movement in the bus, I told God again that if he will help me to graduate and give me a job without stress, I will use my life to serve humanity. For the second time again, I felt this kind of breeze into the bus, it was so much but the atmosphere was so cool to stay, it felt like I had company in the bus.’’
‘’On the 1st of November which was the next day, I went to the school as I told God and I met this amazing mummy of mine, she inquired of what I was looking for and I told her that I came to get my admission letter, she asked if I had been given admission yet and I said ‘Not yet, but you are about to give me’. She looked at me and asked that I followed her and within three hours, I got my admission letter and returned home to my mother with the good news.’’
‘’I started the journey, it became as if God wasn’t there, I started and couldn’t continue medical school, I went to engineering and told God again when I was to cross that if he can see me through, I will definitely not forget my vows. I told Him that I want to go to engineering and graduate with 2:1, get a good job, be an employer of labour, have money, have a husband, have my kids and that if he can help me, I will use twenty years of my life to do humanitarian services. The only thing I heard in my heart that day was ‘You have it already, just keep fulfilling your own part of the journey’.’’
‘’From 2001-2008 on that LAUTECH campus, I didn’t live like a student, I lived for humanity, everyone in my street then cried when I was leaving for NYSC because I became mother to the motherless, as a student I gave all, the little I had on me I gave all because I was conscious of my vows to God. During my NYSC, I became a mother to the corps members. I didn’t sell myself out to humanity because of fame or so people can love me, I don’t even happen to love anyone because I grew up independently but because I love God passionately and because of my vow to God on that fateful night.’’
While narrating her experience over the years, Funmi Ayinke noted that she was exposed to the bullying of ingrates that don’t understand her journey, she recalled how people called her bad names because they never understood that all she was doing was fulfilling the vows she made with God.
‘’In the course of fulfilling my part of the vow to God, I exposed myself to the bully of ingrates that don’t understand the journey, they said I was using their glory, they said I am a bad woman, some came with the mind to quickly grab and go, some came with sense of entitlement. No Nigerian has the right to have anything on my table, it’s a privilege because of the covenant I have with God. Some listening to me have been beneficiaries of my vows to God, I told God I will be doing a humanitarian program for widows because they reminded me of my mother, they took the test of time and decided not to remarry, I told God some youths that remind me of me will have blessings on my table. Today, across the globe, nations, Africa, I have done everything possible with my hard earned money, I gave it all. ‘’
‘’I told God I will start saving money after twenty years of my covenant with him, I told him I will make the sacrifice and I did. Sometimes when I engage in my humanitarian activities, I get tempted not to do it because of ingrates but I remember that night in the bus and come back to do it massively, just to tell God that I am grateful for all he did for me and today, I am celebrating the grace to fulfil God’s purpose, the covenant, the grace to forge ahead and I am saying officially today that my twenty years of covenant is today, I am officially resigning. ‘’
‘’God has been good, his faithfulness endures forever, he didn’t give me any regret even if Nigerians give me 1 million regrets, I stayed focus on the covenant when I had reasons to leave, some that are grateful owe me nothing, the only thing I will never do is keep bad people around me.’’
‘’Officially, Funmi Ayinke nigeria limited is free officially from humanitarian activities, sacrifices, giving the resources I am meant to use for myself, my kids are free from seeing their mother being bullied, being molested by ungrateful Nigerians, my life is free from those that feel they must kill me if I don’t give them jobs government can’t offer them, if I sack them, they will deal with me, I am free from all forms of malicious activities.’’
‘’God has also blessed me with testimonies that will take me forty years to achieve because I served him for twenty years, it’s good to do business with God. Today, my announcement to the world is that I am resigning from any form of humanitarian activities, it was not easy fulfilling this promise because of bad people. Humanitarian services attracted me to bad ones that have no value for life. I have been able to take away the bad ones and today, no matter what they do, the defamation, bullies, God told me that they will suffer until they repent, it’s not a curse because I told God to have mercy but He said all my enemies will bow at my feet.’’
Over the years, Funmi Ayinke has spent millions of naira giving to the needy and less privileged in the society. She has operated an open policy that gave several people access to her, many youths have been employed through this covenant she has with God.
Flooding: Centre scores NEMA high on critical interventions, effective response
Following the recent rampaging flooding across the country, the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-economic Rights (CALSER) says the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has lived up to expectations.
The Centre, which made this known at a world press conference in Abuja today, said its Human Rights and Disaster Management team carried out an extensive analysis of responses and interventions to the natural disaster in the country.
In its assessment report, the Executive Director of the disaster management team, Dr. Mrs Cecilia Ikechukwu, said NEMA has risen to the occasion with critical relief for Nigerians in distress.
The Centre said the interventionist agency donated over 400 trailer loads of relief materials to the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory to cushion the effect of the flooding.
“The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) swung into action to alleviate the suffering of victims of the flood. They distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to support persons affected across the different states. The items included the president’s special intervention involving the release of assorted grains from silos,” she said.
“NEMA distributed relief materials, an equivalent of 400 trailer loads of grains to all states of the Federation and the FCT. This is a statement of fact and has been verified by our independent assessors.
“In Ondo state for example 2,100 bags of 50kg maize; 1,774 bags of 50kg sorghum; 3,948 bags of 25kg garri; 1,000 bags of 10kg rice; 1,000 bags of 10kg beans; 1,000 bags of 10kg maize; 75 bags of 20kg salt; 75 kegs of vegetable oil (20ltrs); 150 cartons of seasoning cubes and 75 cartons of tin tomato.
“The non-food items comprised 7,350 pieces of nylon mats; 1,000 pieces of treated mosquito nets; 600 cartons of bath soap; 2,500 pieces of guinea brocade (5 yards); 1,000 pieces of children’s clothing; 1,000 pieces of women’s wear and 1,000 pieces of men’s wear.
“This gesture was also extended to other states affected, especially in Kogi, Anambra, Benue, Delta Bayelsa, and the Rivers States. Internally Displaced Camps were put in place to settle victims who have become homeless. Items were also delivered to the various state governments to assist the most vulnerable groups. The grains were distributed directly to the deserving persons in collaboration with the state government, senators from the various states and the ministers representing the affected states. The aim is to ensure that the relief materials reach affected individuals.
“NEMA played a central role in having the government release grains from its silos. Its assessment reports were forwarded to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, after which President Muhammadu Buhari approved the release of 12,000 metric tons of assorted grains from the National Strategic Reserve Stock for distribution to all states affected and the FCT.”
CALSER also acknowledged the assistance of International groups such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID) which provided $1 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to support the people affected by the unprecedented flooding.
The Centre, therefore, appealed to the State Emergency Management Agencies to “imbibe the spirit of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties towards ensuring that citizens affected by this are properly taken care of.”
To avert a future reoccurrence, CALSER, however, advised both the state and federal governments to:
“Build canals and dams to help in controlling the water levels. Especially in Adamawa and Benue, to contain the water released from Ladgo Dam in Cameroon.
“Dredging of the major rivers to allow for easy passage of water. Improved drainage of waterways to avoid obstructions.”
PIlgrimage: Centre lauds SGF, govs over visit to Rome to pray for Nigeria
…advocates increased funding for NCPC
The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) says the trip by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, some state governors and deputies as well as traditional rulers to Rome for prayers is timely and necessary.
The Centre, which made this known today during a press conference in Abuja, also said the move could ultimately make the difference in the fight against insecurity as well as the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking to the media and other guests, CESJET’s Executive Secretary, Ikpa Isaac, said by this singular act, the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) has demonstrated special concern for the country.
Ikpa said the Centre is particularly pleased with the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam for this bold initiative to pray for the nation.
“The Center for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) is however worried that some people, out of mischief, are creating confusion around this issue that Nigerians should be cheering. We have since reviewed the outcry and discovered that it is the doing of the opposition that is bent on politicising every single aspect of national life even when there is no basis for it”, he added.
“As a background, we want Nigerians to note that the country critically needs prayers in view of the reality of our existence. In terms of the security challenges Nigeria faces, all the interventions known to mankind have been applied to address the problem but these have not completely solved the issue. This should tell us that the God factor must be brought in for us to get permanent solutions that will restore peace to the land.
“As for the forthcoming 2023 General Elections, we are all aware that the enemies of Nigeria, within and without, are beating drums of war in anticipation that the polls will become the trigger for a meltdown and eventual disintegration of Nigeria. This is enough reason to approach God in prayers to turn the tide in favour of the country. It is important to pray for the General Elections to become a turning point that would usher the country into greatness.
“Anyone that concludes that prayers in the Holy Land are not needed to seek God’s intervention for these pressing national matters is definitely against the interest of Nigeria and should be feared as an enemy. Only people that want these serious issues from getting the God touch would condemn the steps taken by the Executive Secretary of NCPC in galvanizing leaders to embark on special prayers for the country”.
According to the Centre, the efforts of the NCPC may “have helped the country to overcome bloodshed by evil men, external conspiracies targeted at destabilizing the country and other vices”.
Ikpa added ” NCPC has equally enthroned the highest level of transparency in the face of dwindling revenue across the country, managing its meagre allocation to carry out the much it has achieved. In this wise, we call on the Presidency to accelerate funding for the agency so that it can onboard more well-meaning faithful on its prayer train”.
CESJET, therefore, charged Pam to “lead the NCPC to do more in the area of peace-building and national cohesion while remaining undeterred by those that have decided to deliberately mix up the issue so that they can create crises that provide blood for them to suck.”
The Centre, however, urged the Federal Government to revisit the allocation for the commission, noting that it needs improved funding to achieve more.
