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Boko Haram: Nigerian military deserve a united country behind them to end fight against terrorism- Bishop Garuba

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Renowned Christian cleric, Bishop Sunday Garuba, believes a united Nigeria is paramount in the military’s quest to effectively flush out the remnant Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

The respected preacher made this known on Saturday at a Love Feast Day organised as part of a 21-Day Marathon Prayer for Nigeria’s unity at the Unity Fountain in Abuja.

According to Bishop Garuba, there is an urgent need for a united Nigeria irrespective of ethnic and religious affiliations in the fight against terrorism.

The clergyman stated that the military must be celebrated for restoring peace in the northeast and bigger praises should go to President Muhammadu Buhari whose emergence led the transformation.

However, the only stumbling block, the preacher revealed, is the differences amongst Nigerians, adding that the nation’s unity is sacrosanct.

Read full address below:

I bring Calvary greetings to you all gathered here today as we feast in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Maker of all humankind.

Our gathering here is not a coincidence because the earth is the Lords and its fullness thereof. As a start, we must understand the significance of a Love Feast. The Love Feast is a Christian fellowship meal recalling the meals Jesus shared with disciples during his ministry and expressing the koinonia (community, sharing, and fellowship) enjoyed by the family of Christ. We are doing this as part of this meeting to share in love with our brethren and everyone created by the Almighty God for his glory.

Testimonies and praise are the focal points in most Love Feasts. Testimonies may include personal witness to God’s grace or accounts of what God has been doing in the lives of others. Praise may take the form of hymns, songs, choruses, or spoken exclamations. It may vary from the relative formality of an opening and closing hymn to spontaneous calling out of requests and singing as the Spirit moves.

You all would want to agree with me that this Love Feast is in recognition of the victory of our dear country over terrorism. We are therefore giving testimonies for this great victory that is indeed well-deserved. The event is still running and we will be celebrating other love feasts before the grand finale of this exercise.

As children of God, we have been praying and fasting for our beloved country for the past 8 days now and will be doing so for the next 13days. The 21 days intercessory programme is for the forces of evil against the soul of our dear country to be defeated. And from all the abounding testimonies, Nigeria has indeed defeated those who think they are bigger than God. And also those who did not want to see the progress and continued unity of our dear country Nigeria. They are being defeated and exposed by the Almighty God even as we await the final victory which is to come up on the 16th of February.

In the book of 1 John 5:4, it was stated that “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world.” Can the children of God say a loud Amen? Amen!

Nigeria, our dear country has been through the worst of times. Our foundation was indeed shaken by the activities of evil ones that are desirous of seeing to the disintegration of Nigeria for their selfish gains. But God indeed proved Himself faithful to us that indeed believed.

That we came together regardless of our ethnic and religious affiliations to offer prayers and supplication for our country and, by extension our leaders is an indication that indeed God loves Nigeria.

The love of God for Nigeria is unending, hence this great victory that has indeed put to shame the enemies of progress that roared like the Lion seeking for whom to devour. Our faith was tested. Our belief in God was shaken because we were at the brink. But we persevered, and today it is time to sing Halleluiah to the Lord of Host seated on the throne.

In Acts 16:25–40: And at midnight, Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”

My brethren, by the anointing of the Lord upon me, I say all the bands of the devil around Nigeria have been loosened. And we have indeed defeated insurgency, terrorism, and other acts of violence against Nigeria.

Nigeria is indeed a great nation, and we are grateful to God almighty for gifting us a president like Muhammadu Buhari, whose emergence as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is nothing but an Act of God. This much we must all admit contributed to this great victory we are celebrating today.

As a servant of God, I say without fear or favor that, but for the gift of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria would have long seized to exist because of the forces of darkness that conspired to destabilize and disintegrate the country. The harder they tried the more victory God gives us. If this is not a significant testimony, I don’t know what else to call it.

My brethren, the icing on the cake for us as a people and as a country, is when we all stay united and with one voice in our conduct and affairs. It is indeed a great obligation we owe this country. We must realize that it is not a job for the president alone. It is also not a job for the Service Chiefs that have, in recent times, been subjected to all manner of criticism just because they have elected to stand on the side of truth in service to Nigeria.

We must admit, at this point, that indeed what our troops need from us is the collective resolve to stay united and join hands in completing the task at hand. We must give the Nigerian Military the cooperation that they deserve.

This much we have done, and there is a need to continue to do more. We must not lose sight of the fact that the enemies of Nigeria would continue to gang up. They would continue to hold nocturnal meetings aimed at developing satanic plans towards Nigeria. But their efforts would always fail.

For we are all witnesses to the activities of some members of the National Assembly that have entrenched themselves in occultism and a reason why Nigerians can no longer trust their judgments. But as children of God, we would continue to pray for their deliverance for those of them that have sold their souls to the devil to retrace their steps and seek the face of the Lord for forgiveness

My brethren, I say to you all today that President Muhammadu Buhari is God’s anointed and anyone that attempts to rise against him shall be visited with Gods wrath for the bible says in the book of Psalms 105:15, that “Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm.”

I hereby declare today that A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee in the mighty name of Jesus.

My Brethren, What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? No one. We are indeed blessed. President Muhammadu Buhari is indeed blessed. Nigeria is indeed blessed. We have triumphed against our adversaries.

Our unity is sacrosanct. We must continue to lend our support to President Muhammadu Buhari and all those he has chosen to work with him in making our country great again. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

I thank you all for your great effort so far in this programme, and I pray that the abundance of God shall locate each one of us in Jesus’ Name.

Thank you.

Breaking: Pastor Adeboye leads protest against killings of Christians in Nigeria

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General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye is currently leading his church members in a  protest march against insecurity and killings of Christians across the Nation, especially in northern states.

The march started by 11am shortly after he ended the service at the National Headquarters of the church in Ebute Metta, Lagos.

Adeboye had previously directed all members of the church to participate in the prayer and fasting programme as well as the prayer walk declared by the Christian Association of Nigeria to address a spate of killings across the country.

CAN President, Dr Samson Ayokunle, had announced that the prayer and fasting session which started on Friday was aimed at praying to God to end the killing of innocent Nigerians and give the government the capacity to overcome the criminals troubling the nation.

The association’s position came barely four days after Boko Haram executes the Chairman of CAN in Michika Local Government, Adamawa State, Pastor Lawan Andimi, who was abducted by the insurgents on January 3 and subsequently killed despite being offered a N50m ransom.

 

Boko Haram: Nigerian Army Rewards 37 Officers and Men of Operation Lafiya Dole for Gallantry

The Nigerian Army has identified 37 officers and men in the Northeast Theatre of Operations who distinguished themselves on the battle field for their gallantry, professionalism, profound commitment, exemplary conduct and other sterling qualities in the face of the adversary for meritorious awards.

This is in its periodic assessment of the conduct of troops in Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

Among the beneficiaries of the awards are; Brigadier General  Olufemi Oluyede – Commander 27 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmadu Mohammed –  the immediate past Commander 26 Task Force Brigade Gwoza,                 Colonel Mohammed Babayo –  Commandant  Army Super Camp Benisheik, Lieutenant  Colonel Isah Yusuf – Commanding Officer 158 Task Force Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Abayomi Biobaku – Commanding Officer 159 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel  Jerry Maigari –  Commanding Officer 251 Task Force Battalion, Lieutenant  Colonel Tajudeen Lamidi –  Commanding Officer 192 Battalion, Major Micheal Ndubuisi – Army Headquarters Strike Group, Major Abdullahi Muhammad – 212 Battalion, Captain Emeka Chukwu – Headquarters Theatre Command, Captain Audu Kure – 192 Battalion, Captain Alhassan Abdulkadir – 192 Battalion, Captain Festus Fatunberu – 212 Battalion, Captain Haruna Dabai – Headquarter 7 Division, Lieutenant Baba Mala – 3 Battalion (Main), Lieutenant Osazee Asemota – 144 Battalion, Lieutenant Jeremiah Abomchi – 212 Battalion  and Lieutenant Suleiman Kirikpo – 231 Battalion. Others are Staff Sergeant Aminu Ashiru – Headquarter Sector 2, Staff Sergeant Isah Umar – 19 Battalion (Main), Corporal Udom Innocent – Headquarters Theatre Command, Corporal Tochukwu Okongwu – Mobile Strike Team 5, Corporal Kabiru Sule – Headquarter Sector 2, Corporal Bala Yahaya – Sector 3 Military Intelligent Brigade, Corporal Bello Yakubu – Army Special Forces Command, Bombadier Ayuba Nyajon – 376 Mixed Artillery Regiment, Lance Corporal Marafa Mohammed- 212 Battalion, Lance Corporal Faruk Mohammed – 212 Battalion, Lance Corporal Ekiozgha Tobias – 115 Battalion, Private Hamisu Danbaba – 109 Special Forces Battalion, Private Adeyemo Tunde – 123 Special Forces Battalion , Private Yunusa Abdulazeez – 123 Special Forces Battalion,  Private Akinpelu Babatunde – 123 Special Forces Battalion, Private Akinyemi Caleb – 123 Special Forces Battalion, Private Omilani Ojo – 123 Special Forces Battalion, Private Murtala Sani – 123 Special Forces Battalion and Private Enoch Stanley – 109 Special Forces Battalion.

In a statement the Media Coordinator, Nigerian Army Operations Centre, Col Aminu Iliyasu noted that, while the distinguished officers are to be given Special Letters of Commendation, the soldiers on the other hand are each to be granted special promotions to their next higher ranks.

The rewards Iliyasu said were typical of the Nigerian Army’s usual practice of duly recognising unique acts of undeniable gallantry as well as commitment to the service of the fatherland.

“It is meant to inspire their colleagues to always strive for excellence in the discharge of their professional undertakings.” – He added.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has congratulated and commended the beneficiary officers and soldiers for their resilience, doggedness and patriotism in the fight against Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province criminals while urging them to keep up with the good work as the Nigerian Army is committed to ending the insurgency and other security challenges confronting the country.

Call Oshiomhole to order, Obaseki tells Buhari

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The Edo State Government has asked the Presidency and the Inspector General of Police to call the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to order and let him know that no one can be above the law of the land.

This message was conveyed in a communique by Crusoe Osagie, the special adviser, media and communication strategy to the Edo State Government.

In the statement on Friday, the government said Comrade Oshiomhole’s ambition to be the ‘ultimate godfather in Edo State is not worth the lives and safety of millions of Edo people.

The Edo State Government also called on the citizens and residents of the state to be law-abiding, go about their lawful businesses and shun any action that would undermine public peace and safety.

The government warned that very stiff penalties will be meted on any individual or group who flout orders from security agencies and government that unauthorized rallies in the name of the All Progressives Congress (APC) must not be held in any part of the state.

“It bears repeating that the Edo State Chapter of the APC has neither authorized nor organized any rally. The plans of the dissident Edo Peoples Movement (EPM) to again disrupt the peace in the state in Edo Central Senatorial District is unauthorized and goes against the directives of the Nigerian Police Force and the state government,” the statement read in part.

According to the communique, there are clandestine plans to hold a rally in Edo Central Senatorial District.

The government thereby warned those orchestrating the crisis to desist forthwith, stressing that there have been similar gatherings in the past which have resulted in civil disturbances, disruption of peace, injuries on innocent citizens and destruction of property, which the Edo State Government will no longer tolerate

 

Makinde reshuffles cabinet

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By Toby Prince

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Friday approved a minor cabinet reshuffle with two commissioners swapping ministries.

The first batch of 14 commissioners inaugurated by Gov Makinde on Aug. 15, 2019.

A statement by Mr Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, indicated that Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, education, science and technology commissioner, had swapped with Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye of the establishment and training ministry.

The statement quoted the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, as saying that the change was “with immediate effect”.

 

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Nigeria, U.S. hold 5th session of bi-national commission in Washington

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Toby Prince with Agency reports

The Nigeria-U.S. Bi-National Commission (BNC) is scheduled to hold between Feb. 3, and Feb. 4, in Washington DC.

Mr Ferdinand Nwonye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson, announced this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

According to Nwonye, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, would lead the Nigerian delegation to the meeting with the theme: “Mutual Prosperity through Innovation and Ingenuity”.

“Deliberations at the session will focus on areas of mutual interest, including good governance and anti-corruption, trade and investment, development and food security and security and counter-terrorism efforts.

“The Ministry wishes to recall that the Nigeria-U.S. Bi-National Commission (BNC) was established in April 2010 in Washington DC as a platform for closer cooperation between both countries.

“The BNC has continued to serve as a veritable mechanism for sustained bilateral high level dialogue to   promote and coordinate diplomatic, economic, military, technical, cultural and social cooperation between Nigeria and the U.S.,” Nwonye stated.

 

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Akeredolu to be sworn in for second term 2021

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Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, will be inaugurated for a second term in office on February 23 next year.

The governor was re-elected for another term of four years on October 10.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, disclosed this in a statement in Akure on Friday.

He said a 25- member planning committee has been constituted for the inauguration of Akeredolu and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

According to him, the committee is expected to come up with an acceptable programme of events for the inauguration and ensure its success.

Army Headquarters Garrison celebrates 2019 WASA festival

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The Nigerian Army Headquarters Garrison on Saturday celebrated its 2019 edition of the West African Social Activities popularly known as WASA as part of annual activities of Nigerian army.

The event, which is held annually by various army formations and commands across the country took place at Mogadishu Cantonment Abuja.

The event featured a number of activities notably the cultural dance performances by the Tiv, Gbagyi, Igbo Atiligwu, Hausa-Fulani, Idoma, Yoruba among others.

It also featured a tug-of-war between the soldiers’ wives and female soldiers as well as the raffle draw where different prizes were won.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, said that WASA was an age long tradition in the Nigerian army.

Buratai said that WASA provides opportunity for various army formations and units to socialise and celebrate their achievements during the year.

He added that the event also provided opportunity for officers and soldiers and their families to showcase the variety of cultural dances from across Nigeria.

He commended the various groups for their performances and announced that the tug-of-war game between the soldiers’ wives and female soldiers ended a draw.

According to him, the constitutional mandate assigned to Nigerian armed forces is to defend the territorial integrity of the country and preserved the collective national interest.

“It is in this regard that the Nigerian army has remained a professionally responsive army in the discharge of its constitutional duty.

“It is therefore heartwarming to observe that the Nigerian army has remained focused within this mandate and also committed to preserving our democracy.

“The strong statement to this effect has been our resolute commitment in tackling the security challenges confronting the country and recently during the 2019 general election acting in support of Nigerian police,” he said.

Buratai commended the garrison for their discipline and conducts exhibited during the various exercises they were engaged in throughout the year.

He urged the officers and soldiers of the garrison to redouble their efforts in view of the current security challenges that the army is grappling with across the country.

Earlier, the Commandant, Nigerian Army Headquarters Garrison, Maj.-Gen. James Myam, said that WASA serves as a veritable tool for reminding personnel on the successes recorded from the activities of the year being celebrated.

Myam added that WASA was also meant to encourage the personnel to approach the activities lined up for the new year with renewed zeal, vigour and commitment.

According to him, the Army Headquarters Garrison had a very successful year 2019 and so for us, this particular WASA is a celebration.

Myam assured the COAS that the garrison had received his ‘Strategic Directive to NA personnel for Year 2020′ which charged all personnel to ‘sustain professionalism and responsiveness in the discharge of their constitutional roles’.

He pledged that personnel of the command were poised towards approaching their duties with renewed vigour and commitment in the discharge of their duties.

Former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the Nigerian army for keeping to the tradition of WASA celebration.

Marwa said that WASA remains a very important event in army barracks that usually bring different tribes together to celebrate.

He said that looking at the barrack kids reminded him of his days as a barrack boy.

He also urged the barracks children to strive in becoming whatever they wanted by remaining focused.

According to him, as retired officers we appreciate and recognise the sacrifice and commitment of the Nigerian armed force to the fight against insurgency in the north east.

The WASA event ended with the lighting of the camp fire night by the COAS.

‘Last of abducted seminarians found dead’, authorities say

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The last of the four seminarians abducted by bandits from the Good Shepherd Major Seminary in Kaduna, has been killed.

The Registrar of the institution, Rev. Fr Joel Usman gave the confirmation in a statement on Saturday.

“This is to inform all our friends and well wishers that the remaining abducted Seminarian has been Found dead. Thank you very much for your prayerful support. Let us keep praying for Nigeria in Great Distress.

“Please let us remain faithful in the Risen Lord. May the soul of our Brother Nnadi Michael and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace with the Lord. Amen.” – He said.

The seminary had announced the release of three abductees while the deceased remained at large.

 

‘We are still relevant in providing solutions to national security’ – NDA alumni

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The President, 27 Regular Course Nigerian Defence Academy Alumni Association Rear Admiral Samuel Alade (Rtd) says members of the course are still relevant in providing solutions to national security problems.

Alade stated this shortly after declaring open the 27 Regular Course Alumni Association 2019 Annual General Meeting held in National Defence College Officers Mess in Abuja.

He said the association was formed to reconnect with members of the course, show solidarity and contribute positively to national development especially in proffering sound suggestions to national security issues in our beloved country Nigeria.

He added that the association had earlier donated gift items to Internally Displaced Persons’ camp, Orphanage Homes and National Correction Centre in Kuje, Abuja.