News

Intefaith Forum unveils code for religious cooperation, peace building

Published

1 month ago

August 23, 2023

(Photo: Central Coordinating Council of IDFP.)

The Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), has rolled out a code of conduct to guide religious groups and leaders, so as to enhance interfaith cooperation and peace building in the country.

The Co-Chairman of forum, Dr Yusuf Arrigassinu said on Wednesday in Abuja that the aim was to create an environment of mutual respect, cooperation, and harmony for a stronger and united Nigeria.

He urged religious leaders, interfaith community members, and all concerned citizens to embrace the principles outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Arrigassinu called for sound ethical and values-based decisions geared towards a more united and harmonious Nigeria.

“IDFP is thrilled to announce the launch of the Interfaith Code of Conduct, a momentous initiative that seeks to foster unity and peaceful coexistence among religious communities in Nigeria.

“The code serves as a guiding light, inspiring religious leaders to uphold shared values and promote a climate of understanding and harmony.

“This landmark initiative underscores IDFP’s unwavering commitment to fostering understanding, harmony, and cooperation through open dialogue among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities,” Arrigasiyyu said.

He urged the media to give the document wide publicity and for churches, mosques and schools to use it in promoting cooperation among Nigerians.

Also, Rev. John Hayab, the Co-coordinator, Central Coordinating Council of IDFP said that the forum remained committed to what will make a difference in the country.

He said that the forum was also committed to showing the people the right direction to follow as a country.

In his remarks, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, a former Co-chairman of the forum, urged governments at all levels to hold people responsible for their utterances.

He said that people should not be allowed to create conflicts in the country under the guise of religion or politics.

The cleric suggested that the code of conduct should be made available in schools, places of worship, hotels and other public places for all Nigerians to read and practice.

He said all Nigerians should be guided by the code, saying that for the country to develop, there was need for peace in the land.

Onuoha said that the document showed that Christians and Muslims in Nigeria can come together for progress, adding that Nigeria is not a theater of religious conflicts.

Also, Imam Fuad Adeyemi said that Christians and Muslims must emphasise the many similarities and common ggrounds between them.

“We do not have any other place except Nigeria and Christians and Muslims must come together to develop the country,” he added.

Headline

Navy disowns list of successful candidate for Batch 35 recruitment

Published

6 hours ago

September 25, 2023

Alero Danjuma

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has disowned the purported list of successful candidate for its Basic Training School (NNBTS) Batch 35 Recruitment, saying it is fake.

Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the Director of Naval Information, said this in a statement in Abuja.

Ayo-Vaughan said the exercise was conducted in three centres across the country, namely; Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna States.

He described the information, being circulated recently as fake, and handiwork of fraudulent miscreants who were trying to dupe some unsuspecting applicants.

He said the list of successful candidates had not been released and that no form of invitation for training, via text message had also been disseminated by the Nigerian Navy.

‘’The alarming rate of circulation of fake information by unscrupulous individuals, regarding enlistment or recruitment into Navy is quite worrisome.

‘’Efforts are on to track and arrest the miscreants.

“Members of the public especially prospecting applicants who participated in the said recruitment are strongly enjoined to always authenticate information from the NN official website, https://www.navy.mil.ng, and other official social media handles, as well as other credible mainstream media platforms.

“Similarly, miscreants and mischief makers are warned to desist from this unwholesome practice, otherwise they will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

Ayo-Vaughan said the text message, had invited unsuspecting applicants to report for military training at NNBTS Onne, Rivers, following their purported selection.

He said the criminals further claimed in the text message that the exercise would commence on Oct. 6.

Headline

Gov. Alia condemns kidnapping of commissioner, one other

Published

6 hours ago

September 25, 2023

Ifunaya Emeka

Gov. Hyacinth Alia has strongly condemned the kidnaping of Mr. Matthew Abo, his Commissioner for Information, culture and Tourism, and former Chairman Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), Mr. Iorwashima Erukaa.

This is contained in a press statement on Monday, signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.

According to the statement, while Mr Abo was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in his Sankara home at about 8pm on Sunday, September 24, Mr. Erukaa was taken away by a yet-to-be identified gunmen on Saturday, September 23.

The Governor, who described the act as barbaric and unacceptable, has directed security agencies to immediately commence operations to ensure the safe release of the duo.

He called on the people of the State to remain calm, as his administration would do everything possible to make the State safe for all.

“The kidnappers have made contacts with the family of Mr Erukaa but are yet to contact Mr Abo’s family,” the statement stated

Several gunmen had stormed the the commissioner’s residence in Zaki-Biam, Ukum LGA and kidnapped him.

Eyewitnesses who spoke to NAN, said that the kidnappers who came on four motorcycles, ordered everyone in the house, including the his wife and children, to lie face down and took him away to an unknown destination.

The witnesses said the abductors compelled the commissioner at gun point to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles while a gunman sandwitched him.

Mr Abo was sworn in as a member of the Benue State Executive Council on August 29.

He hails from Ukum Local Government Area of Sankera axis, a major flashpoint of criminal activities with rampant killings and kidnappings for years now.