South East
Retired Judge Tasks Youths On Humility
Retired Judge of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Anthony Aniagolu, has advised Nigerian youths to take their future in their own hands by learning how to begin life in a very humble way.
Justice Aniagolu, 86, who gave the advice Thursday, while briefing newsmen in Enugu on the preparations so far made towards launching in Abuja the federal capital territory on September 24, his autobiography, also urged the younger ones to always keep faith in the Almighty God in everything they do in this life.
His words: “Faith in God is absolutely necessary for any one to get on in this world. Engaging in all kinds of youth restiveness does not help because everybody must one day give account of how he/she lived his/her before the Almighty God. I get frightened whenever I hear about kidnapping and other criminal acts now common among some of the youths in Nigeria “, reminding them that the Almighty God is wonderful and merciful to those who trust in Him.
Commenting on his 340 page autobiography edited jointly by Philip Effion and Charles Chuka Aniagolu, while the original research was carried out by Dan Chima Amadi, Justice Aniagolu explained that the book was the one in which he detailed his public life in the country.
The aim of writing the book, he went on, was also to educate the younger ones that hard work and keeping faith in the Almighty God pays, rather than engaging in all kinds of vices that might end up ruining their lives, adding that, “Nigerians will certainly enjoy the book which is in two parts, thick and soft cover, respectively.
Continuing, Justice Aniagolu further said: “The book also deals with my school life and everything that goes with it. I have taken time to have the book written. I am a man brought up in difficult circumstances. I am now 86 years of age. I started my primary school in Eke in Udi local government area of Enugu State. I began in hardship, many people who knew me are now surprised over how the Almighty God has lifted me up. I am grateful to God for He has done wonders for me”, he stressed.
Justice Aniagolu while turning to journalists also declared: “ Tell everybody that the Almighty God is alive and in charge of everything including our lives. The Almighty God is wonderful and merciful. I prayed to God to let me publish this book before I die as it will make the younger ones take their future in their hands learning how to begin in a very humble manner. The Almighty God gave me a wonderful brain. I want all of you to thank God as I always thank Him. Everything is thanks, thanks, and thanks”, he added.
Justice Aniagolu maintained that on his return from London , he began his legal practice at a magistrate court where he won the first case he tried, adding “ I thank God from the bottom of my heart . I sacrifice myself to Almighty God for ever. Every word of this book is offered and dedicated to Almighty God.”
He revealed that his legal carrier began in London where he pursued externally intermediate LL.B London , adding that while traveling to London, he was in the same ship (S.S. Mandora) with the late great Zik of Africa as plane was not common then.
Using the forum to comment on the death of Chief Gani Fawhami, Justice Aniagolu described it as a great loss to Nigeria , adding that, Gani was a great man throughout his life on earth.
According to him, if every Nigerian were to behave like Gani, Nigeria would be a great country, he reasoned.
The police in Ebonyi State say they have discovered the body of a yet to be identified middle-aged woman in a hotel room in Abakaliki, the state capital. The spokesperson of the police in the state, Loveth Odah, stated this yesterday.
She said the body has deep cuts on the chest and neck and has been deposited in a mortuary. According to the spokesman, it was discovered at Crown Garden Hotel located along the ever-busy Afikpo road in the capital city.
Mrs Odah, who said that the victim was found in the pool of her own blood, said the suspect had been identified as one Uchenna Awoke.
She said the hotel manager, Emmanuel Eze, the supervisor, and other workers had been taken to the police station for questioning and accused the hotel management of negligence.
“The manager of the hotel, the supervisor and other staff of the hotel were taken to the station for questioning and I must confess to you that the whole thing is negligence on the part of the hotel management. How can a guest be murdered in a hotel room and days after, the management is not aware of the incident.”
“We will investigate the matter properly and I assure you, the perpetrator of the act must be arrested and prosecuted. All we are asking is for the members of the public to avail the police of useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect.”
The Senate yesterday passed the South East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2018.
The proposed commission aims at enhancing the infrastructural development of the South East zone, which is grappling with huge ecological challenges.
It also seeks to act as a catalyst for the development of the commercial potential of the zone.
The proposed legislation requires the concurrence of the House of Representatives to become a bill of the National Assembly, and the President’s assent to become a law.
Senators Stella Oduah (PDP-Anambra) and Samuel Anyanwu (PDP-Imo) jointly sponsored the bill read in the Senate on June 22, 2016.
Its passage in the Red Chamber followed the presentation of the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service by its former Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Paulker (PDP-Bayelsa), on the floor of the Senate.
The bill, after Paulker’s presentation, was considered clause by clause by the committee of the whole, and amendments made by the lawmakers were read for the third time and eventually passed.
In his remarks, presiding Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, commended his colleagues for a job well done.
In his words, “Every morning we pray that God should give us the grace to do only those things that will promote the peace and unity of this country.
“I believe that we have shown today that we are committed to the unity of this country, and it is this unity that will give us faith in this country.
“This faith will in turn help us to pursue peace and progress,” he said.
Briefing newsmen after plenary, members the South East caucus of the Senate, led by Sen. Enhinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia), thanked their colleagues and members of the committee for their efforts.
Abaribe, who spoke on behalf of the caucus, urged the President to sign the bill into law “as soon as we tidy it up and bring to him, in the interest of the unity and progress of Nigeria”.
“This will put to rest the long-drawn agitation in the South East, and the difficulties in the rehabilitation and reconciliation efforts that started at the end of the civil war.
“All things we see always will end up at the negotiating table, which is what we have done,” he said.
The lawmaker said he hoped the House of Representatives would give concurrence to the bill as it went in the Senate.
When established, the South East Development Commission would be the third zonal interventionist body in the country.
Bishop David Oyedepo, the Founder and Presideng Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, on Saturday predicted that nothing would disturb the peace of Nigeria and its story would change for the better in the year 2019.
Oyedepo made the declaration at the just concluded annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family, christened the “Dominion”, in a satellite telecast of the church.
In the telecast monitored in Abuja, the cleric also declared that 2019 would be a year of “I have Dominion”.
“Nothing will tamper with the peace of Nigeria; the story will change for the better in the name of Jesus.
“Nigeria shall not see bloodshed, the Prince of Peace will continue to dominate in Nigeria, in Africa and Nigeria is declared blessed.
“Anywhere you step, accident is forbidden; death will not come near you and our nation.
“Anything that is of grace in my life, I freely release upon you today.
“God has opened the year 2019 to us, celebrate Him because its our year of “I have Dominion,” he said.
The Bishop added that the year 2019 would be a year of humbling testimonies for Nigeria and pace-setting testimonies.
He further declared that 2019 would be a colourful year for the nation.
According to the cleric, as long as Jesus has the final say on the issues of Nigeria, it will experience greatness.
Oyedepo said that there would be no more cause of alarm in any area of the nation and its citizens.
He advised Christians in Nigeria to delight themselves in the spirit of servant-hood, adding that the spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood.
“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood. As you keep rising on the ladder of leadership, you must retain our spirit of servant-hood, constantly working to add value to others and be kingdom minded,” he said.
According to him, dedication is at the root of dominion, saying: “Sow yourself as a seed by being totally dedicated to God and His Kingdom’’.
He told his congregation that sacrificial giving guarantees the meeting of all their needs.
“When you engage in taking care of the well-being of others, God is also committed to your well-being,” he explained. The cleric admonished Christians would engage in meeting the needs of the needy, every barrier on their path of destiny would be crushed.
“Nobody tampers with your life, your career, your family and goes away with it because you are promoted to God’s kingdom.
“God will stand for your defence in the day of trouble. Every sacrificial giver has a defence around him in the day of trouble always have that in mind,” he said.
He reminded his congregation that the Church is not a building; the Church is a people and the Redeemed of the Lord.