News
Our fears ahead 2019 polls, by Christians


The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday raised the alarm on desperation of politicians ahead of the 2019 general elections saying it was a sign of danger.
The President, CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said if something urgent was not done to curtail such desperation, it could set the country on fire.
Ayokunle, who spoke when he paid a courtesy call on the Bayelsa State Government, at the Government House, Yenagoa, also appealed to politicians to stop the violence and killings across the country.
CAN President, who was received by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Real Admiral John Jonah (rtd), said the church was on its knees praying seriously for God to rule over the affairs of Nigeria ahead of the election.
He said: “We are also parlaying with those in government, who can make things happen. Nigeria has to maintain peace and order to ensure free and fair election in 2019.
“From the intra-party election, the kind of desperation we see in our politician is quite unacceptable and give us palpable fear that if care is not taken, the people may set the nation on fire, God forbid.
“The church says no to any kind of violence and manipulation in this forthcoming election. And in line with that, we are not only speaking, we have decided to register with INEC as election observers”.
He disclosed that CAN was training election observers to monitor the conducts of the forthcoming polls adding that it had already trained 300 monitors.
He said: “We are already training observers all over the federation. We have trained over 300 persons presently from all the geopolitical zones of the country and these ones will train others.
“It is our own hope that we will be able to place three observers in each polling booth so they will continue to report to us at the national office. I and my team will be visiting President Muhammadu Buhari, next week, to discuss the conduct of the election”.
Ayokunle, also called on the Federal Government and the security agencies to arrest persons involving in killings across the country including armed herdsmen.
“All the herdsmen that are committing the crime must be brought to book. If they are not arrested that means they are being encouraged to continue in their evil ways,” he said.
The CAN boss described the 15,000 seater Ecumenical Centre built by Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, as a masterpiece.
He said that the edifice surpasses the Abuja Ecumenical Centre built by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and solicited for good maintenance culture to preserve it for future generations.
He requested the state government to allocate land to CAN to enable it build a secretariat for the Bayelsa Baptist Conference.
He demanded completion of access roads to the Baptist Centre at Iyambiri-Zarama in Yenagoa Local Government Area, completion of a hospital and health centre under construction as well as provision of medical equipment in the area.
While appreciating Dickson for appointing clergymen into positions of trust in his administration, Ayokunle prayed God to give him the wisdom, good health and foresight to continue his developmental projects in the state.
He also used the occasion to commiserate with the governor on the death of his mother, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson, who died of cancer in the USA.
In a remark, Deputy Governor, John Jonah said churches made tremendous contributions to the development, peace and stability in the country.
He appreciated the CAN leadership for the visit, noting that Bayelsa state is a Christian state with a Thanksgiving Day backed by law to appreciate God.
He added that CAN’s request for land, among several others would be conveyed to Governor Dickson.
He charged the clergy to continually pray for Bayelsa state and the country at large in view of the myriad of challenges facing the nation.


Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.


The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka


The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.


The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.
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