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Tag: Cleric

  • Promote integrity lifestyles – Cleric, activists task religious leaders

    Promote integrity lifestyles – Cleric, activists task religious leaders

    The Executive Director of the faith-based organization, Al-Habibiyah Islamic Society, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, has warned religious leaders and citizens over the disturbing absence of integrity in the society, insisting that “integrity certainly pays.”

    Imam Adeyemi led the call during a radio town hall meeting titled “Entrenching Culture of Integrity in Nigeria: The Religious Perspective,” organized by the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development, PRIMORG, at the weekend in Abuja.

    Imam Adeyemi disclosed that every well-meaning citizen of the country ought to be bothered by the growing scarcity of persons of integrity while rebuking religious leaders who promote prosperity preaching over honest living.

    He stressed the need for more Nigerians to imbibe the culture of doing right and living above board, given its long-term benefits, rather than corruption, which continues to constitute a major drawback to national development. He added that it is worrisome that Nigerians think of themselves nowadays more than advancing the course of entrenching sincerity in their daily lives.

    “Integrity pays, and it lasts longer. You can use integrity to buy what money cannot buy. With integrity, you can live as the richest man and serve as a symbol for all other people.

    “The religious leaders should lead by example; the community leaders should not lead people into destruction by supporting fraudulent people. We should be able to recognize everyone who is doing good. Also, when there are no repercussions for crime, the government is the greatest challenge.

    “More Nigerians becoming persons of integrity has to start with the religious leaders; traditional or community leaders have their own, government and law enforcement agents have their own. Some people steal money, and when they get to the community, they are conferred with a traditional title,” Imam Adeyemi lamented.

    The Cleric warned against what he termed the ‘politicization of religion in Nigeria, urging the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA to do more in purging their ranks of religious leaders who are downplaying integrity lifestyle over prosperity preaching.

     

    “The essence of religion is for you to cope in any circumstance you find yourself after you have put in an effort. Unfortunately, the government themselves need to sit up unless we might all crash out. With the proliferation of these kinds of teachings from religious houses.

     

    “I’m happy CAN and NSCIA have started doing something about wrong preaching, but I believe they need to do more. Religious houses must have some sanction to disrobe erring leaders,

     

    “Christian and Muslim leaders must preach integrity and spirituality. When you are spiritual, many of these things will become nothing to you. Material things will become secondary in your life instead of primary. We have quacks among the religious leaders, and those quacks have so much followership, and that’s why I’m questioning what qualifies one as a religious leader?” Imam Adeyemi noted.

     

    On his part, Project Coordinator, Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Mike Egbe, said the shortage of integrity and moral decadence in Nigerian society is worsened by the impoverishment of citizens and agelong leadership failure in the country.

     

    Egbe, while charging religious leaders to preach and promote more integrity deeds, identified greed as a major factor drifting preachers away from integrity messaging.

     

    “Indeed, we have people who are preaching the authentic message of God, whether in the Christian or Islamic faith, but generally, especially in this age and time, social media and access to information is perhaps easier for many people, the ones who preach what seems to be soothing for the individual with his natural tendencies and human weakness of being greedy is the one that seems much more popular.

     

    “If you are in a helpless situation, if you believe in God, God will come through for you. God, in his principles, does not take shortcuts,” Egbe advised.

     

    In proffering solutions to the challenges of integrity in Nigeria, the Programme Officer, Accountability Lab Nigeria, Mnenga Shiiuwa, averred that every citizen must first appreciate the dangers of a corrupt society before things can be addressed; Lamenting that corrupt people are today in leadership positions and serving as role models.

     

    “Until all of us as citizens of this country begin to see the impact of our lack of integrity on our daily lives, it will be difficult to understand this component of the discussion we are having. It’s one thing for religious leaders to preach on integrity. It is another thing for people preached to take up the virtues”.

     

    Shiiuwa revealed that all is set for the 2024 Integrity Icon events, as nominations of the top 5 people have been concluded. He revealed that the annual identifying and faming of public servants who maintained high moral standards and values while discharging their duties have been instrumental in raising thousands of public servants who are modelling after the celebrated integrity icons.

     

    The PRIMORG’s Town Hall Meeting on entrenching integrity in Nigerian society is aimed at celebrating citizens who displayed uncommon integrity and stressing the need for honest and upright citizenry.

     

    The syndicated radio program runs with support from the MacArthur Foundation.

  • Why Eid-el-Maulud is celebrated by Muslims – Cleric

    Why Eid-el-Maulud is celebrated by Muslims – Cleric

    Sheikh Zakirullah Dan’Iya, says Eid-el-Maulud is celebrated to encourage Muslims to rejuvenate their faith and rededicate their time to the service of Almighty God.

    Dan’Iya, the leader of the Tijjaniyyah Islamic sect in Lafia, Nasarawa state made this known  in a telephone interview with NAN on Monday.

    “Maulud gives one the opportunity to show gratitude and appreciation to Almighty Allah for the birth of our holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and His companions.

    ”We have embarked on a procession round the town, chanting solidarity songs and showing our gratitude to Allah for the life our Prophet, a man of unmeasurable qualities.

    ”This period offers us the opportunity to reflect on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his leadership qualities in promoting peace, unity, togetherness and solidarity among communities of Muslims.

    ”We also share love by giving charity to the needy, chant verses from the Holy Book, thereby, emulating the virtues and compassion of the Holy Prophet” he said.

    Maulud Nabiy is celebrated in commemoration of the birthday anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), considered as the last messenger of Allah.

    Eid-Maulud, universally observed on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi’ al-awwal,  is a significant event for many Muslims.

    Maulud also honors the Prophet’s legacy, impact and contributions to human civilization

  • Hunger: Don’t push Nigerians to the wall – Cleric tells Tinubu

    Hunger: Don’t push Nigerians to the wall – Cleric tells Tinubu

    Senior Pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming of Jesus Christ Church, Akure, Adewale Giwa, has warned that the President Bola Tinubu should not push the citizens to the wall, noting that hungry people don’t fear death.

    He stated this in a statement he made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Akure, Ondo State capital.

    The cleric dismissed the distribution of 10 trucks of bags of rice to each state as a sheer drop in the ocean compared to the hardship being faced by citizens.

    He, therefore, suggested that Mr. President should crash prices of food items and pump prices without delay.

    The statement reads in parts: “Having advised President Bola Tinubu to reopen all land borders in Nigeria, let me use this medium to beg the president not to push Nigerians to the wall.

    “A hungry man is not afraid of death; the president should urgently do what is right to make Nigerians happy. Distributing 10 trucks of rice to each state won’t help the current situation. Where do you expect the hungry Nigerians to see N40,000 to buy a bag of rice? Please, stop this nonsense and do what is right.

    “I hope Mr. President would listen to my earlier advice if truly he wants the best for Nigeria. Again, begging Nigerians to be patient with you is like someone telling you to resign from the presidency, which is not possible to forgo. You were not patient with Nigerians when you discontinued fuel subsidy payments. Therefore, Mr. President, you are running out of time…

    “Anybody who truly loves the president would advise him to crash the prices of foodstuffs and petroleum in no time. My prayers are with Nigeria, but our political leaders must lead by example.”

  • Just In: Confusion as Sokoto cleric observes Eid-el-Fitr prayers with members, dares scholars with contrary view

    Just In: Confusion as Sokoto cleric observes Eid-el-Fitr prayers with members, dares scholars with contrary view

    Sokoto-based cleric,

    Sheikh Musa Lukwa on Tuesday, observed Eid-el-Fitr prayer with his congregation.

    Recall that Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, had declared Wednesday as the first of Shawwal and Eid day, commemorating the completion of the 2024 Ramadan fast.

    The council said the crescent moon was not sighted on Monday, the same view earlier espoused by Saudi Arabia authorities.

    However, in what appear to be disobedience to Sultan’s directive, Sheikh Luwa led prayers at his Juma’at mosque around 8:30am.

    While justifying his action, Lukwa said the moon of Shawwal was sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday

    “There were reports of sightings on the new crescent in many places, including here in Nigeria, but the one that we were sure of is that of Niger Republic.”

    ” We have a verified video clip of their council of Ulamah authenticating the report after which the country declared Tuesday as Sallah day. So it is now binding on us to observe Eid on Tuesday because this is what the teachings of the Holy Prophet says.
    “If we can accept that of Saudi Arabia, why can’t we agree with that of Niger Republic which is nearer to us.

    “I am not saying all Nigerian Muslims must observe their Eid prayer on Tuesday but we have no moral justification not to observe our prayer on Tuesday because the new moon was sighted by our neighbors. And remember there is no fasting on Sallah day, it is prohibited,” he said.

    Meanwhile, findings revealed that Sheikh Lukwa has been defying Sultan directives, accusing the monarch of forcing Muslims to accept the moon sighting of Saudi Arabia which he believes is against the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

    The cleric however, challenged any scholar with a contrary view to a public debate.

  • 2024: Introduce policies that will affect lives of the people positively – Catholic Archbishop of Lagos urges FG

    2024: Introduce policies that will affect lives of the people positively – Catholic Archbishop of Lagos urges FG

    Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos has called on President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government and all political leaders across the country to give Nigerians enough reasons to smile in Year 2024.

    The cleric while ministering on Sunday at the church, observed that 2023, an election year with all its controversies, witnessed untold hardship for millions of Nigerians due to the prohibitive cost of most essential commodities. He enjoined governments at all levels – across party lines – to harness all available resources to fashion out policies that would help alleviate the suffering of the majority of Nigerians.

    He said, “The increase in the pump price of petroleum products and the drastic loss in the value of the naira, among other factors, have grossly affected the purchasing power of most Nigerians who are finding it increasingly difficult to survive. This alongside insecurity in the country has pushed the best brains in the country to yield to the Japa syndrome. Those of us who remain are struggling to breathe, as they say. This is unacceptable.

    “As we begin the year 2024, we call on government, at all levels, to focus on policies that would help to rejig the economy and bring solace to the impoverished masses. Government must listen to the cries of poor Nigerians.”

    According to the cleric, all that Nigerians are asking for are policies that would bring down the high cost of foodstuff, reduce transportation costs, and provide gainful employment for the jobless, especially the youths.

    Archbishop Martins urged Nigerians to cooperate with their leaders to ensure peace and economic stability in the New Year and appealed to the government to urgently address lingering wage-related issues that concern Nigerian workers, particularly resident doctors and university lecturers, among others.

  • Cleric decries youth involvement in internet scams

    Cleric decries youth involvement in internet scams

    Rev. Tajan Moltok, the Resident Pastor of the Shepherd House International in Jos, has decried the rate at which youths in the country engage in internet scams.

    Moltok was speaking during his sermon titled:”’ Power to catch fire” at the church service on Sunday in Jos.

    ”Our youths are being exposed to the fake life style of Yahoo boys. This calls for prayers and having a quality relationship with God to overcome being coerced into these acts.

    ”When you are on fire for God , the passion would be reflected in your relationship with Him and in your resilience in life inspite challenges .

    ”The power of God also gives Christians the will power against indulging in drugs addiction, pressure to join cult groups, prostitution and other activities against Gods instructions,” he said.

    The cleric urged Christians not to join groups that exposes them to immorality.

    He said that such groups corrupts the minds of Christians and feeds their flesh to indulge in carnal activities against the instructions of God.

    He urged Believers to instead join groups that would not deviate them from God and challenged them to ”hunger for God and his kingdom expansion on earth”.

    Moltok called for a revival by Christians, adding”these current times are evil. We must hunger for God and his kingdom advancement”.

    He also urged Christians to revive their prayer life and study the scriptures to be edified to resist the ploys of evil in the society.

     

  • Embrace preachings of Christ, cleric urges Christians as Knights of St Mulumba mark founder’s day

    Embrace preachings of Christ, cleric urges Christians as Knights of St Mulumba mark founder’s day

    Christians, especially the Knights of St Mulumba, KSM, have been charged to imbibe the worthy life of Jesus Christ so as to ensure proper development of human resource.

    Rev Fr (Dr) Hyginus Aghaulor, the Episcopal Vicar For Ozubulu Region of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi called on members of the Knight of St Mulumba to focus attention on training of the human person to achieve a balanced and responsible personality in life.

    Fr Aghaulor who is the Worthy Chaplain of the Sub Council of the Order stated that failure of the human society to do this has resulted in the malformation of the human person hence giving rise to all the violence, crime, neopaganism and immorality that have bedeviled the society today.

    The Episcopal Vicar frowned at the regular pulling down and renovation of ecclesiastical structures within parishes every now and again. He wondered if parishioners derive some inexplicable joy or pecuniary gains in it.

    He therefore asked if any individual would do same to their homes and rebuilding them now and again. The Chaplain argued that much profit would be derived in channeling such funds to other human and or ecclesiastical capital development.

    The lecture was part of series of lectures in memory of the late Rev Fr Abraham Anselm Ojefua who founded the Order of Knight of St Mulumba. He died in 1988.

    The Ozubulu Sub Council of the Order of the knights of St Mulumba organized the lecture at their Ozubulu Temple and was heavily attended by members. The life touching lecture by Fr Aghaulor, the Worthy Chaplain of the Sub Council, went down memory lane on the virtuous life of Fr Ojefua.

    The Grand Knight (GK) of the Sub Council, Ignatius Nnubia(KSM) in brief interview with journalists shortly after the event explained that the nationwide lecture series was part of the sacrifices they have to make in their sojourn on earth to deepen their faith and to imitate Jesus Christ, whose life was encapsulated in the virtuous life of Fr Ojefua.

    He said that Very Rev Fr Aghaulor was chosen as the guest lecturer because of his vast knowledge of the Order, and his avowed passion for human capital development.

    Consequently Nnubia urged Christians to adopt our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ footprints, whose life was replicated by Fr Ojefua. “Let our life reflect positively with love on our neighbours for their our edification,” he advised his fellow knights.

    Sir Nnubia equally beckoned on the church to emulate Christ and refrain from too frequent demolition and rebuilding of existing ecclesiastical structures but to be concerned essentially with the capital development of her members.
    The Order of the Knights of St Mulumba was established by the late Rev Fr Abraham Anselm Ojefua, a Catholic priest and monk, on June 14 1953 at Owerri.

  • Don’t take loans to perform Hajj – Cleric

    Don’t take loans to perform Hajj – Cleric

    A Muslim cleric, Sheik Ibrahim Yusuf, has urged Muslim faithful not to take loan to visit the holy land, saying it is against the injunctions of the religion.

    Yusuf said this at a Ramadan Lecture organised by Professional Muslim Women Network on Sunday in Lagos.

    The cleric in a lecture, titled; “Islam is a Complete Religion”, said there was no need for Muslims to borrow or take loans during Ramadan or perform Hajj (pilgrimage).

    Yusuf said that it had become a norm in the society today for people to want to do more than their capacity in order to show off.

    According to him, nothing is new in Islam because the religion is complete with laydown principles, and that it is against Islamic injunctions.

    “Many people have developed hypertension in the society because they have taken loans from microfinance banks and cannot repay.

    “To serve Allah or go for Hajj, it is not compulsory or mandatory; It is voluntary. Don’t take loan because of that, this is not acceptable.

    “Islam as a religion does not make it compulsory for anyone, it is a peaceful and complete religion.

    “There are five pillars in Islam that every muslim must adhere to; there is no other God but Allah, say your five prayers daily, pay your Zakat diligently, fast during Ramadan and visit to the holy land (Mecca).

    “The visit to holy land is one of the pillars, but it is not compulsory. It is voluntary if you have the resources,” the cleric said.

    He urged all Muslims who have missed any fast during the Ramadan to repay it as stipulated.

    “You are exempted from the fast if you are sick, a traveler, pregnant, a nursing mother and if you’re elderly.

    “You are not expected to participate in the fast if you fall into these  categories. But, you must find time at a later date to observe the days missed.

    “Don’t stress yourself to worship Allah. Many people have developed hypertension because of loan and stress. If God says you will go to the holy land, you will.

    “Allah said, “I have made this religion complete for you easy, don’t stress yourself”,” he noted.

    Yusuf urged Muslims to dedicate themselves to prayer, almsgiving and Zakat even after the Ramadan.

    “Ramadan is just once a year, you must worship and pray fervently to Allah during this period.

    “The period is a period of self-disciple which every Muslim is expected to continue after Ramadan,” he explained.

    Hajia Rafat Salami, one of the conveners, said that the lecture was organised to educate Muslim faithful on their obligations during and after Ramadan.

  • Bishop Nwokolo advises Nigerians to remain hopeful, amidst endless challenges

    Bishop Nwokolo advises Nigerians to remain hopeful, amidst endless challenges

    The Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo, has advised all Nigerian citizens, especially Christians, not to allow the current very challenging state of the nation to weigh in so much on them. Or affect their psyche or faith in God, this Easter season.

    The cleric who described Easter as a time of joy and hope, noted that because of what it represents, Nigerians were free to live unfettered life.

    In his hope-building 2023 Easter Message to Nigerians at the weekend, Bishop Nwokolo remarked that Nigerians were free by the reason of the power of Jesus’ resurrection to be joyful, having seen the defeat of Satan and his agents.

    “So, as we live our lives in our society, especially in this our country, Nigeria, Easter assuredly gives us the hope that despite the social, political, economic and security challenges facing us here and there, we are victorious by the power of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    “Easter, therefore, is a time for us to rejoice and to actualise this invaluable Grace given to us by our Lord Jesus by which we are empowered to live above the world and above the power over sin.

    “We now have victory over the challenges of unemployment and of youth restiveness as they are among issues already overcome by the power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus has therefore given us this victory so that we can celebrate with hope and live our lives without regrets and without falling back to lives of uncertainty.

    “We therefore challenge everyone of us; young and adult, men and women, to always hold tight on our Lord Jesus Christ who has given use such hope and victory as well as the ability to stand firm in Him. We are not hopeless. We have hope of better life ahead.

    “May our risen Lord Jesus give us, Nigerians, this victory, give us such power and make us to stand above situations and circumstances that will finally enable us to triumph just as Jesus did in the name of God the Father ather, God the Son, and God the Holy oly Spirit. Amen”, Bishop Nwokolo prayed.

  • 50-year-old cleric remanded in prison over alleged defilement of teenage girl

    50-year-old cleric remanded in prison over alleged defilement of teenage girl

    A 50-year-old cleric, Lawrence Omoniyi, has been remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, for allegedly defiling a teenage girl.

    The defendant, whose church name is being withheld, resides at 4, Orisunbare St., off Tapa Road, Isawo Ikorodu, Lagos.

    Omoniyi is being tried for defilement.

    The Prosecutor, ASP Raji Akeem, told the court that the offence was committed between 2020 and December 2022 at the defendant’s residence.

    He added that the 15-year-old victim and the defendant reside in the same house at the said address.

    Akeem alleged that the girl confided in one of her sisters that the defendant had sexually assaulted her in the last two years.

    Akeem told the court that the defendant allegedly threatened to kill the victim if she told anyone.

    He said the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    However, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, who did not take the defendant’s plea, adjourned the case until April 18 for the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

    Meanwhile, Oyo State police have arrested two persons suspected to be members of a secret cult, the Eiye Confraternity over alleged murder.

    They also arrested two other persons for alleged armed robbery and murder.

    The police spokesman in the state, SP Adewale Osifeso paraded the suspects at the police headquarters, Eleiyele, Ibadan on Thursday.

    He said the suspects are members of the dreaded secret cult responsible for armed robberies and killing of innocent people in Oyo town and its environs.

    Osifeso said also that the suspects invaded a house at Okun Compound, Molete in Oyo town on Monday at about 2.20 a.m., armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons and murdered one Jimoh Akeem.

    “The complainant managed to escape from the attack, but the deceased who shared his apartment and was sleeping at the time was not able to escape and was gruesomely murdered.

    “The assailants vandalised properties in the house and fled with some valuable items,’’ Osifeso said.

    He said police investigations at the respective hideouts of two of the suspects led to their arrest.

    He added that the duo confessed to the crime and also to the fact that they belonged to Eiye Confraternity.

    He added that investigations to track down other members of the criminal gang had continued.

    One of the suspects told newsmen that the deceased belonged to a rival cult gang that attacked members of his confraternity earlier but managed to escape.

    “Eight of us later went to meet them where they normally sleep and killed one of them with a machete.

    “Five out of the eight people that went for the operation went inside the house and killed the victim,’’ the suspect said.

    The two suspected armed robbers that were paraded allegedly invaded the Iseke area of Oyo town attacked and murdered one Olamilekan Ajakaye and dispossessed him of his cell phone and huge sums of money.

    Items recovered from the suspects were 25 live cartridges, one Walkie Talkie, and two axes.