Devcoms marks world TB Day, tells Nigerians to protect families against disease

Development Communications, Nigeria’s health advocacy group on Sunday, March 24, joined Nigerians and the world to celebrate this year’s World Tuberculosis Day with a call on citizens to protect their family members from the menace of the highly infectious disease, more so as Statistics has shown that Tuberculosis (TB) kills 18 Nigerians every hour and 4,500 people globally every day.SUCCESS DAMIAN reports.

The 2019 TB Day with the theme “It’s Time” just like any other one offered the opportunity to raise more awareness among people on the need to end a curable illness.

It is estimated that 407,000 people in Nigeria have TB each year. This is the estimated number of HIV negative people that have the disease. In addition there are an estimated 63,000 HIV positive people that get TB each year. An estimated 115,000 HIV negative people die from TB in Nigeria each year and an estimated 39,000 HIV positive people also die. It is difficult to appreciate what it means for 154,000 people to be dying each year!

Devcoms Program Director, Akin Jimoh stated that all Nigerians need to be concerned about the missing cases of TB and “we must all be in the forefront to find and treat TB cases” in the country.  “We did it for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and now the cases are on the downward spiral.  We need to help ourselves to find and treat TB,” he added

With office in Lagos, Development Communications Network is dedicated to strategic communication, advocacy and approaches for sustainable development of societies through innovative ideas, programming and content development that educates, informs and inspires social change.

The National Coordinator, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme Department of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Dr. Adebola Lawanson said as part of the bold step in finding the missing TB cases in the country, the Federal Ministry of Health with support from partners is rapidly expanding TB diagnostics and treatment services to more sites across the country.

According to the 2017 Global TB Report, Nigeria is among the 14 high burden countries for TB, TB/HIV and MDR-TB, ranking 7th among the 30 high TB burden countries and 2nd in Africa. Forty-seven Nigerians develop active TB, seven of which are children, every hour. One of the major challenges of TB response in Nigeria is attributed to low TB case finding both in adult and children. This is attributed partly to poor knowledge about TB that influence the health seeking behaviour of people, and low TB treatment coverage.

This is why the theme for this year’s World TB Day; IT’S TIME is enjoining the young, old and all stakeholders involved to come together to take action to make Nigeria a TB free country.

According to World Health Organization, about one-third of the world's population has latent TB, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with the disease and cannot transmit the disease.  People infected with TB bacteria have a 10% lifetime risk of falling ill with TB. However, persons with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a much higher risk of falling ill.

In 2017, about 1.7 million people including over 250,000 children globally, died of TB-related causes. Over 95% of TB deaths occurs in low and middle-income countries especially in Africa.

I will provide Democracy dividends to Kogi people – Ameh

Dr Joseph Erico Ameh, a security expert and seasoned politician, is the gubernatorial aspirant of People’s Democracy Party (PDP) in the Kogi State governorship Election coming up in November. In this interview with SUCCESS DAMIAN in Lagos he spoke on the recently held general elections, even as he unfolded his plans for Kogi State. Excerpt:

The 2019 general elections have come and gone. Could you give us your impression on the elections?

The 2019 election was supposed to be a continuity of the progress we have made in the areas of electioneering in Nigeria. You realise that in 2015 people thought there would be electoral violence. Even my organisation, Real Strikers Security Services, hosted a nationwide seminar on violent-free elections that tried to forge a way for Nigerians to avoid violence during elections. A lot of youths and several organisations attended. Even heads of security agencies presented papers during that seminar. You saw that the 2015 elections were violent-free and people’s votes counted. When the results were being announced, the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan did not intrude. There were less manipulations and malpractices. Jonathan avoided introducing violence in our democracy. He conceded defeat and congratulated his opponent, now President Muhammadu Buhari.

We thought we have achieved and that we are going to take it up from there, and democracy had been enshrined, people rejoiced, and we were happy.

As we approached the 2019 elections, we started seeing a lot of tricks and intrigues. There were removal and redeploying of officers. Even some of the service chiefs who should have retired were allowed to continue. It was only the popular opinion that forced the then Inspector General of Police (IGP) to retire. All these were to ensure that the election was rigged. Even the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen was removed. The result is what we have seen now in the just concluded general elections. All these were unnecessary because in every contest there must be a loser, there must be a winner.

If a government has impacted on the lives of the people, the government has no reason to rig, or sponsor violence, or use arms against the armless people, or using the police against defenceless people as was witnessed in the general elections.  The 2019 elections were engulfed with great violence, gross misconduct on the part of INEC.

Would you blame the government for all these? Yes. The APC government grossly set aside the rule of law.  It had been partial in handling corruption cases, with those who embrace the party like former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and Godswill Akpabio embraced and treated as saints. Such a government that has not been fair also manipulate elections to remain in power. That was what happened during the elections.

What is your view on the use of the military during the elections?

Democracy is a civil thing. It has nothing to do with the Armed Forces. It is a choice of the people. If democracy is the choice of the people, then they should allow the people to make their choice, you don’t have to involve the military in this. If you put the right machinery in place for people to make their choice, quietly and gently, the people will walk up to the polling booths and they will vote and leave the place.

Could you assess the quality governance in Kogi State under Governor Yaya Bello?

I am not a machinery set to assess Yaya Bello. But, I attest to what I hear and see. What I hear from people, especially the civil servants, is that salaries are not paid. Everybody is crying. Institutions are not working in Kogi. There is no respect for the people he is leading. There is no adherence to laws, structures and other things. I have heard a lot of cries in the state, a lot of negative voices, and I saw a lot of things happening, like the training of vigilantes, buying of Army uniforms and all that. We have set up an audit team to audit the account of the state, where money goes, how it was used. We don’t know who is lying between the civil servants and the governor.

Why are you presenting yourself as a governorship aspirant in Kogi governorship election in November this year?

Every party has to have aspirants through whom a candidate will emerge during a primary. So, my, the PDP, like every other party, will have a candidate. I will be presenting myself as an aspirant in the PDP, my party.

What are your plans for Kogi people?

I will make my people to feel the impact of democracy. If I win, my administration will run an all-inclusive administration. I will not discriminate along party lines. My consideration is for Kogites. Everyone that lives in Kogi State will be seen as an indigene no matter where he comes from and the ethnic group he belongs. If an Igbo man living in Kogi, working in Kogi, paying his tax in Kogi, he should also succeed in Kogi. For the Igbo man, Hausa man or Yoruba man, everyone in Kogi to succeed, I must create an enabling environment for them. I will open structures and create institutions that will protect the people. We have the education, health, tourism, agricultural sectors. I will make all the sectors work. Our people’s lives will be touched and dividends of democracy will go down to the grassroots.

Within two years of my administration, Kogi State will be far better than what it is now. I will make Kogi work and a lot will be achieved within four years of my administration. I will build people so that there will be a government of continuity. There will be a succession plan and no section of the state will be shortchanged again.

How will you do this?

We have a lot of natural resources in Kogi State. For example, we have a lot of medicinal herbs in the state. I will set up a team of medical scientists to work with the trado-medics to bring out all these things to the help my people. This we will do in collaboration with NAFDAC and if certified, we use it as our own product. We have a lot of money around us. The fact is that our politicians are not hard working. They are waiting for allocation. When it comes, all they do is to fight the people, so that people would not even talk about it. The trick is: ‘Don’t talk there is money, money is not for you, go’. That is not what it should be. Government should create ideas for the people, plan for the people, go to war for the people, not the people going to war for somebody.

In what ways have you touched the lives of people of your state?

I thank God because whatever I am today is by the grace of God. God opened the avenue for me when I told Him one that I want something that will put food on the table of many and God gave me this business (Security Business). Now, we have over 9,400 staff across the country. We are everywhere in Nigeria. Among these staff, we have over 3,000 Kogites.

In Kogi State, our artists, musical artist, and the others, whenever they call for help, I am always there for them. Even the students always call on me for help, and I always oblige them. I have been doing these over years. I have some bursaries for indigent children. I pay their WAEC fees, school fees and NECO fees, not only for Kogi children, but for Igbos Yorubas, Hausas, etc. I cry when I see somebody on the street and cannot afford N500 for feeding or for transport fare. I don’t have an enemy. I believe in forgiveness.

What inspired you to do all these?

I am from a polygamous family, the first born in the family. My father tried as much as he could, but could not do everything. So, I took the bull by the horn and started to work from very young age. Since then, I have learnt not to depend on anybody. Even as a student, I did menial jobs to pay my school fees. A man that does not dream has no destination. At early age, I was already aiming very high. I set a goal for myself and I followed it. We also need God’s acceptance. When God accepts you, nobody can work against you and succeed.

What legacy do you want to leave for the people of Kogi?

I am a multi-faceted person, a diverse creature. When I am in government, holistically I will build capacity, human resources. It will be a lasting legacy. If you want to build a nation, build people. When you build people, you build a nation. Education will be prime during my tenure. Within four years, it will seem as if I have ruled for 16 years,

Going by recently held election, do you think PDP can win in Kogi?

PDP can defeat APC in the coming election. We need a strategist to do that. If we have that person, we will beat APC. But, we will not reveal our strategy.

How do you see the return of Dino Melaye to the Senate?

Well the return of Dino Melaye is through strategy. His return is a welcome development. It is the best that has happened to our state. Although he is from the Kogi West, we feel it in Kogi East, and also in Kogi Central. It is for all of us. So, we are happy with it.

People see Dino Melaye as dramatist. What do you think about him?

Well, people may see him as a dramatist. But, whatever gives you result is what you do. Will you do something that does not give you result? Is he not getting results from his drama? Tell me a senator in Nigeria today that has the name Dino has since the era of Senate? Who said that Dino cannot be the president of this country for the name he has made?

Exploitation of women is a global thing, says Ibitoye, IRISE Founder

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation (IRISE) on Wednesday took the One Billion Rising campaign, an initiative for systematic changes towards ending rape, sexual violence and every form of exploitation against women and children, to Seed of Knowledge School in Agor-Palace Way, Lagos, to sensitise and conscientise the students on the dangers of rape, drug abuse and other anti-social vices. The outing was as revealing as it was impactful. SUCCESS DAMIAN reports.  

UN statistics states that one in three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. To ameliorate this was part of the reason for the formation of IRISE, formed in 2003 as a non-profit organization for community building, women, girls, children, youths, poverty alleviation and human liberation (Counseling and skill development) as a means to bringing an end to institutional slavery and exploitation.

IRISE works with local and international non-profits, faith base organizations, Community base organizations and local government to educate society on exploitations and oppressions of women, girls and young persons through workshops, Symposia, rally, campaign and conferences.

At Seed of Knowledge, 1 Billion Rising organisers were able to also bring in Youth Coppers to talk to the students. The sensitization was concluded with a roadshow involving the coppers and I Billion Rising team to draw the attention of the public to the need to end exploitation of not just the girl child but those of women and children.

Addressing the students Omodele Ibitoye, Founder, IRISE and coordinator of 1 billion Rising Nigeria said "We are living in a time of upheaval and transformation. Together we have been rising to free women and children from sexual and physical violence in its overt and obvious forms: rape, battery, incest, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, sexual slavery and trafficking, child marriage, sexual-gender and reproductive oppression and violence toward women. And, we have had many victories.

“As we come into our 7th year of Rising, we are faced with bigger challenges. To end violence against women and children, we must commit ourselves to a deeper examination of violence in all its forms. Along with sexual and physical violence, we must also look at systemic violence in economic, political, socio-cultural, environmental and ideological spheres,” Ibitoye said.

She added that as the world continues to Rise to end violence against women, it is imperative now to expand understanding of women’s oppression and exploitation in the context of capitalism, colonization, racism, imperialism, environmental plunder and war.

Ibitoye said that people must begin to see themselves first as human beings before tribe or religion “We have been compartmentalized and divided for too long. Our Rising must now connect our specific oppression to the common universal humanity that binds us all. This is no less than a way of life, a way of seeing, a way of being in the world.  It is not one day that we rise, but every day that this consciousness must rise in all we do,” Ibitoye stated.

According to Omodele Ibitoye, 1 billion Rising is an organization founded by Eve Ensler, the author of Virginal Monologue in 2012 to rise against rape and all forms of exploitations against women and girls.

Barr. Orjiakor Nathaniel, Director, Seed of Knowledge Schools speaking on rape, drug abuse and social vices said “It is a reality, it happens, and we cannot keep quiet over it. So this kind of advocacy is welcomed and timely. You can be surprised when this children open up and talk to you.

“In a school like this we have zero tolerance for any form of habit. Our slogan here is don’t keep quiet, because evil thrive when people keep quiet. So we train our children to speak out. When you see something, say something,” Orjiakor stated.

Emma Macaulay a member of 1Billion Rising said, “We target schools because that is where the major havoc is being done and that is where we can educate the students about the advantage and disadvantage of these drugs, how they can stay away from drugs. The school is where we meet them; that is where they meet their friends, talk about it, discuss it and want to do it and by the time they get back home they want to try what they learnt in school. So we coming here in school is to educate them and let them know the importance of staying out of drugs.”

Mojisola Favour Akpezi, another member of 1 Billion Rising said the group is making progress “It is work in progress, today we talked to about 300 students of Seed of Knowledge, apart from the Coppers. 1 billion rising is achievable and that is the reason we target the younger generation because once they are aware, as they grow they will carry it on, so it is like a legacy.”

Miss Ochi Salome, a youth Copper serving in Ejigbo area of Lagos, stated that sex abuse and drug abuse are a major challenge facing Nigeria today. “It has affected a lot of the female gender, in productivity and in their emotions because when their emotion is down, productivity is low. This is an awareness programme, and this is one of the platforms we can use to reduce it to the barest minimum.

“I want to use this opportunity to commend the organisers of this programme. Due to sex abuse we lost a girl, Ochanya to the cold hand of death in Benue State in 2018. The uncle abused her for seven good years from age six; if she were already matured, she would have been pregnant for him. The man denied it, but the man’s wife was ashamed of him and ran aware with their son. The girl died, nobody knew if God’s design was for her to be president of this country, but we lost her.”

Serena Nwamarari, an SS3 student speaking on how the sensitization outing in her school would impact on her life and that of other students said, ‘The event today is targeted at the youth because we are the ones to go into the world, when you go to a place you don’t know you have to navigate to find your feet, know your left from your right. Now with this sensitization, if we go out, we are going like individuals that know where they are heading to. The sensitization today has given us a sense of direction.”

Ogundipe tasks members to stand out as he marks birthday

On March 10, Nigerians in various continents of the world in their thousands, gathered at Grandeur Hall, Oregun, Ikeja to celebrate the birthday of a wonderful man of God, Prophet Oladele Ogundipe of Celestial Church of Christ (Genesis Global). The gathering also featured an international Conference with the theme ‘Stand Out’, and the unveiling of his book titled ‘My Glory is not Negotiable’.CYRIACUS NNAJI has the report.

The celebrant, Prophet Ogundipe, who came into the event in T-shirt, beaming with smile, exchanging pleasantries as he received accolades from friends and well-wishers, later changed into a well-designed French suit for the proper kick-off of the celebration.

The event which involved cutting of cake featured Team Genesis, Team Standout, Team Godfrey, Dr. Smile and Genesis Global Choir, who were all on hand to provide musical entertainment, and comedy, making the event exciting from the beginning to the ending.

Telling a brief story about himself, Ogundipe said he neither attended university nor polytechnic but his destiny was not in polythene bag, adding that he was not born with silver spoon but he has been able to construct his own silver spoon. “It is not a crime to be born poor, but it is crime to die poor, if you plan to go to next level with wrong ladder, you will certainly not go far.

He celebrated a man who used to allow him to sit down on the floor of his room to watch TV, Baba Rasheed Olowo Brown, this was so because there was no television in his own father’s room.

Ogiundipe said when his parents gave their lives to Christ, people mocked them “but I never knew the mockery was for our making. Ignore those mocking you, because God is making you. Don’t look at those mocking you but look unto God who has connected you to a purpose, you are created for something. Nobody is fighting you because you are empty, they are fighting you because you are loaded. They are not fighting you because of where you are, they are fighting you because of where you are going. Nobody is fighting you because of your lies, they are fighting you because of your prophecy.”

On the theme of the conference, he said “Standing out means being peculiar, being extraordinary, being paradigm shifted, being a different person in every way and everything. To stand out, don’t surround yourself with parasites, listen to your internal dialogue, think differently, do things differently. Stop moving with people who have nothing to offer, those who do not have good news for you. Change your location. If you want to stand out, you must not be traditionally built.” He urged members to be uncommon.

Some of the issues treated in the book, My Glory is not Negotiable include Man and His Glory, Classes of Glory, Enemies of Glory, My Glory Is Not Negotiable and Restoring Your Lost Glory.

The 103 page pocket size book was revealing, the launching was however done without asking people to make donations. “I don’t wanna call you one by one to come and launch, no, am not gonna do that. One man call me and asked me what do you want me to give you on your birthday, I told him, I don’t want car, I don’t want a house, what I am expecting is for all Genesis Global members worldwide to be elevated.”

Apart from ‘My Glory is not Negotiable’, other books written by Ogundipe include Enough of Slavery; Better Life; Behind the Veil; Be Unstoppable; Standout, while many others are still at their finishing stages.

Ogundipe while stating that one should not be slow in whatever that is on his mind, said until you meet a prophet that will ignite you, your life will never be on fire.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ogun and Lagos, Dalapo Badmus, who was present at the occasion extolled the rich and gargantuan prophetic height of Ogundipe, saying that members should continue to pray for Ogundipe. She urged members to believe in him, while at the same time advising doubting Thomas to steer clear because it is dangerous. “It is dangerous to stay in his ministry without believing in him, but once you believe whatever you desire, you will receive.”

Igboburuotu was formed to ensure love and empower members, society, says Nwekedi

Igboburuotu Social Club of Nigeria is an association of people of Igbo extraction and any Nigerian Citizen who is capable of speaking the Igbo language. It is also designed to ensure love and empowerment of members and society. This much was gathered during the recent monthly meeting of the group which took place at Diakon Hotel, Ijegun, Lagos. SUCCESS DAMIAN reports.

High Chief Chika C. Nwekedi, Founder/President of Igboburuotu Social Club of Nigeria had opportunity of speaking on his leadership position; acknowledging that it was not an easy job. “It has not been easy as a leader and when you are on top you become topic, because I can condone whatever they are saying, I rule Ladipo for six years, Ladipo is more than 6,000 people from 1999 till 2004/5. Remember in the midst of 12 there must be a Judas, but that will never deter us. That is why I said I am on top. I am a topic either for the good one or the bad one.”

On the aims and objectives of the club he said support for one another and love is paramount “Last year we gave each widow N5000, and one bag of rice, whether a member or not, this year, we are giving N100, 000 and a bag of rice, we give N200,000, N250,000 as loan to members without interest for them to pay back in December.. I tell my people to be good citizens of Nigeria because all eyes are no us.

“If our member’s wife is delivered of his pregnancy through CS process and there is no money for the bill we pay and give him one year to repay. That money we would have used to travel to your village for burial we use it to save your life. I don’t believe in contributing money for burial. You will gain when you are alive and not in death. Besides we fight on behalf of our members who is being intimidated so far as he did not kill, nor steal, we save him with our money,” Nwekedi said.

He spoke on the motivation for acquiring land on behalf of his member, “I was in Lagos in 1992 and there was no place to lay my head. My father died when I was eight years, and I slept in the shop in Ladipo where there was no toilet, in the night you go to toilet by the side of the canal, later God gave me money, I have one room around 1997, from there I had flat, and today, I have too houses in Lagos.

“So that made me to understand what people are passing through and when you don’t have house where you are living it is bad, so that was why I brought idea of the land, 72 plots of land for interested members. On the land we have about two acres for Igboburuotu office complex, a hall and houses for members who have house problem, to stay for two years free of charge because when somebody has wife and children and they pursue them, or they sell the house, how can he manage and his family is not there to help him?"

He said the association’s year book is coming up which go worldwide which we will invite people from Aso Rock, another one in December but will start in June our year book, original magazine, we do it every two years, we give awards which will be in the magazine.

Onyebuchi Emmanuel Agunna, Vice Chairman of the Association said Igboburuotu came into existence in 2016 with motto to support members, empower widows, less privileged in society, led money to member to enhance business and buying of land and giving to members at reduced fee.

He spoke on motivation for establishing the association “Brotherly love is paramount, when your brother is in need you see somebody you can confide in that will come to your aid. There is also networking and business collaboration among the members. “

He also spoke on issue of investing in Igbo land “It is a good thing, but I believe in one Nigeria and the Igbos are not threatened by claims by some segments of the host that Lagos does not belong to Igbos; the Igbos believe in restructuring so that they can build and invest anywhere they like.”

He said the association is not partisan and does not support any particular party, though members may be advised to vote somebody with credibility and integrity.

Group condemns endorsement of Sanwo-Olu by Lagos Ohanaeze President

Success Damian:

A group of Igbo leaders of thought have condemned the unilateral endorsement of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 election, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, by the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos Chapter, Chief Solomon Ogbonna against the standpoint of Ohanaeze worldwide.

Ben Akah, a member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain in Lagos as well as a member of PDP Campaign organization made the disclosure during a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday. The group described the action of Ogbonna as a Scam.

At the press briefing which had in attendance Dr. Vincent Anyigor, National Coordinator of Unit2Unit; Dr. Jonathan Nnaji and Chief Arthur Nwachukwu, Akah expressed disgust at the attitude of Ogbonna in the following words “In the past few days, we have a reneged state chairman in the name of Chief Solomon Ogbonna who unfortunately has shown himself to be a scammer, because all he has been doing is running around APC and Sanwo-Olu to scam money and put in his pocket. That informed the first outing he had with Sanwo at the national stadium where he conferred a chieftaincy title on him. And that also informed the recent meeting where he also said that Ndigbo in Lagos State has endorsed Sanwo-Olu,” Akah said.

Akah gave a background to his claim saying that Ogbonna called a stakeholders meeting of Ndigbo at Muson Centre in Lagos without prior information of using the platform to endorse the APC candidate.

He gave vivid explanation what he called a scam by Chief Ogbonna “I give you a background to the story. When he was calling that meeting, he got everybody to attend on his authority as being the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, but he used a scam message in which he said he was calling a Town Hall Meeting of stakeholders. He never mentioned that it was a political meeting, he never mentioned that Sanwo-Olu was coming there and never mentioned any other issue but a town hall meeting of stakeholders and therefore there was not supposed to have been any visitor to that meeting.

“Unfortunately he had already had a definite agreement with Sanwo-Olu and his group of APC. Everybody came into the meeting, sat down exchanging banters, prayers were being said, and he said the people we are expecting are coming. Everybody thought that since he said Chief Nnia Nwodo was the convener of the meeting that he was the person we were waiting for, unknown to the people inside Muson Centre that he had had banners put outside after the people had gone in, a giant size poster of Sanwo-Olu and a giant size of Nnia Nwodo. and then Sanwo-Olu worked in and started addressing the people.”

Akah said it was then that Ogbonna told the people that the gathering was to endorse Sanwo-Olu. Akah state that a lot of people made noise, saying it was not what they came for. “At that point, the press had carried whatever they wanted to carry,” Akah stated.

He recalled the standpoint of Ohanaeze worldwide on issue of Restructuring, which informed the choice of the political party to be supported by Ohanaeze. In his words “The president General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, with the authority of Imeobi which is the highest policy making body of Ohanaeze came out and declared on the policy of restructuring which is at the heart of every Igbo man that we want power to devolve to the various units. He said we dislike over centralization, we also want space to be opened for people to prosper. We also want individual business enterprise to rise so that poverty can be chased away and as a people we are consistent with this aspirations.

“The Imeobi took a decision that in this particular election, the Igbo race will support the PDP, and it did not make any pretenses about it. The president general announced it to the world and he went about canvassing for it and also to defend it,” Akah narrated.

On the purpose of the press conference Akah said “What we are telling you today is that Igbo race is still definite on which political programme they support and they are proud to be different; what we are looking for is a prosperous, peaceful nation, a nation where unemployment is nearly zero, a country where everybody can afford to live well, a country where poverty is chased away, a country where every state can stand on its own and not go to Abuja for handout, a country where you can stay in your village and live your life and prosper, that is the meaning of restructuring and that is the way we understand it, and that is the first and most important thing to the Igbo race in Nigeria.

“We want a country where we will no longer be struggling to know who the country’s president at Abuja is. Because it will not matter to Mr. A or Mr. B who the President is, there will be no more struggle that the president is a Fulani man or Hausa man, and nobody will care, that is what we want,” Akah stated

He stated authoritatively that Nnia Nwodo is bewildered, and emphasized that Chief Ogbonna has gone over the board in his quest for private enrichment.

Akah said that such action will not go unpunished but could not explain what the penalty will be as Ohanaeze has a constitutional means to deal with such unexpected conduct.

Lagos Diocese Anglican Communion celebrates Christ at Centenary Rally

Thousands of members of the Lagos Diocese Anglican Communion on Saturday, held a colourful rally as part of activities to celebrate 100 years of the existence of the diocese. The event which took place at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos can only be described as beautiful and spiritually uplifting, CYRIACUS NNAJI reports.

Made up of 14 Archdeaconries with One Purpose, One Faith and One Goal the diocese gathered its members for the Centenary Rally with the faithful wearing gorgeous and well-designed T-Shirts that suited the occasion. There were also the Diocesan bands and Choirs that entertained guests with melodious tones.  

The Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye addressing the gathering said the event is a fantastic opportunity to come together to share in the fellowshlp of Christ ‘as we get stronger, deeper and higher as a Diocese.’ 

 
While thanking the Divine Mandate Partners, whom he described as formidable partners in moving the Diocese forward especially in the realization of the Centenary projects, Olumakaiye stated “The Centenary Celebration is designed to be celebrated throughout this year and it is targeted at fostering a more cordial relationship among us all as we look forward to establishing something that the coming generations will also appreciate us for.” 

He spoke on the centenary city saying “To the glory of God, we just secured 1500 plots of land as our Centenary City through the huge support of you good people of this Diocese. This City is the legacy that we will hand over to the next generation alongside the ones we received from our forefathers. This will also allow us to add more value to our Diocese and our society in the form of low Income Housing Estate, St. Luke's Global Hospital, Garden of Gethsemane, camp ground, amusement park and many more. We will also give something back to the Church in form of empowerment of our women and our teeming youths. By the grace of God, we will soon move to our Centenary City.”

Olumakaiye also thanked the stakeholders who have contributed significantly in the realization of the centenary celebration saying “Let me thank the committee in charge of this rally; you have done a good job. I thank all the Archdeaconry coordinators and sub-committees, I also appreciate the Diocesan Media and Technical Crew, and all others.” 

On his part, Most Reverend Adebola Ademowo, the immediate past Bishop of the diocese thanked God for what God is doing in the diocese describing Olumakaiye as a goal getter. “For us to have him in the diocese the lord has really blessed us and I know he is going places.

“Within a very short of time the Bishop took the mantle of leadership, he has gone very far. He went round all the churches in the diocese, there is a centenary city that he is trying to put in place, there is the radio for the diocese, right in front of the diocesan palace you will see the electronic board. There are many things the Bishop is doing. I usually fast, but when the Bishop was enthroned, he asked us to fast for 21 days and I didn’t miss a single one. At the beginning of this year he asked us to fast for 14 days. The man is not doing the work in the flesh, he is doing it in the spirit, he is charismatic, prophetic, and he is a man of God to the core. So we thank God for all the lord is doing, we need people like him. In this country

On the expectations after 100 years he said, “There are many things in the pipeline, but the Bishop wants the members to grow spiritually more than ever before, because that is very important, the diocese is growing physically, but he also wants members to grow spiritually and he wants them to be enablers,” Ademowo said.