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Islamic Clerics, NBA Condemn Attack On Redeemed Church In Kontagora

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The Director-General of the Niger State Bureau for Religious Affairs, Umar Abdullahi, said the attack on the church raised deep concerns.
Islamic clerics in Niger State have condemned last Saturday’s attack on the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) by hoodlums in Kontagora.
The incident in which the church building was looted and set on fire has drawn widespread condemnation in the state, including from Governor Mohammed Bago.
In separate interviews, the clerics said Islam prohibits aggression by Muslims against people of other faiths, and further enjoins them to treat non-Muslims well.
The Director-General of the Niger State Bureau for Religious Affairs, Umar Abdullahi, said the attack on the church raised deep concerns.
Mr Abdullahi said the actions of the attackers contradict the teachings of Islam, stressing that the core message of Islam is unity and peaceful coexistence.
“Islam teaches the importance of protecting places of worship, irrespective of the faith practised within them. The Qur’an warns against the destruction of any place where God’s name is remembered, whether it be a monastery, church, synagogue, or mosque,” he said
Mr Abdullahi cited Surah Al-Hajj (22:40), which states: “And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned.”
He said the verse underscores the sanctity of all houses of worship.
An Islamic scholar at Imam Buhari Islamic Foundation in Minna, Zakari Jibril, also said Islam guarantees the protection of the worship centres of other religious groups.
“Allah (SWT) said, ‘Let there will be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands clear from error. (Q2:256)’”, he said.
“Allah said, ‘The truth has now come from your sustainer; let then he who wills believe in it, and let he who wills reject it” (Q18:29).
Meanwhile, the Kontagora emirate council has expressed solidarity with the church members.
The Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, Muhammadu Mu’azu II, said he was “deeply saddened and disturbed by the senseless and vicious act intended to provoke religious tension and undermine the peaceful coexistence among the community.
“The emirate council condemns this heinous act in the strongest terms possible and assures you that we stand with you in this difficult moment.
“We will do everything within our power to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and that the church is able to continue its service without fear or intimidation,” the traditional ruler said.
In its reaction, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Minna called for peaceful coexistence among adherents of the two major religions in the state.
The chairman of the association, Isyaku Barau, described the burning of the church as a barbaric act.
Mr Barau appealed to the state government and security agencies to track the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
He also called on the Christian community in the state to remain calm and refrain from any act of retaliation.
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NCSU Consoles Elder Statesman Over Daughter’s Death …Tasks Elected Unit Executives On Service Delivery

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The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has extended its condolence to an elder statesman in Rivers State, High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe over the untimely death of his daughter during child birth, describing it as saddening and unfortunate, and called on the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) chieftain to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.
This is even as NCSU has called on the newly elected executives of the union at the unit level and Ministries in the State Civil Service, to be dedicated to their duties, as well as deliver services that would further help the State to retain its prime position in the comity of States.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in Port Harcourt, said the union seriously empathises and sympathises with Chief Sara-Igbe over the daughter’s death, and urged him never to allow the sad incident to weigh him down, but to remain strong, firm and resolute in championing the cause of Rivers State even in the face of such a tragedy.
Osumah noted that the union is particularly sad over the unfortunate incident, because of the kind of support Chief Sara-Igbe has been giving Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing him as a true pillar of strength to the Governor, and enjoined him to continue to contribute meaningfully to the progress and development of the State in spite of obvious challenges and drawbacks.
According to him, history would be kind to Chief Sara-Igbe, when the chips are down, owing to his immense contributions to the State and also for standing on the side of truth, justice, equity and fairness,when it matters most.
Commenting on the election of new unit executives of the union, Osumah said he was glad over the development, and urged the new union officials to be good ambassadors of their units and the union.
He said delivering selfless services to the people of the State should always be their priority, and congratulated them on their successful elections.

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RSG Donates Transformer To Rehabilitation Centre

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The Rivers State Government has donated a 500KVA transformer to the Rivers State Rehabilitation Centre, Iriebe in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The State Commissioner for Power, Prince Solomon Abel Eke, who handed over the transformer to the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr Illamu Arugu thanked Governor Siminalaye Fubara for the approval and release of the transformer, adding that it would go a long way in solving the power problem at the centre.
“I want to thank God for the Governor that we have, who takes time to look at things meticulously and ensures that our people get service for what they are doing”.
He said following the request by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation for a transformer for the rehab centre, a team of engineers from the Ministry of Power were sent to the area to take cognizance of everything that they need.
“I can assure you that what we are doing or what we are going to do here is going to put to rest everything about power.
“The capacity of this transformer you have here will take care of you even the neighbouring enviroment”, Abel Eke said.
He emphasised the need for them to preserve the transformer, stressing that the transformer has the capacity to generate and distribute electricity within  the centre and neighborhood.
The commissioner warned them against allowing people to scale their fence to either vandalise or steal the transformer and described the gesture as a road map for constant power supply in the State.
“We are the only State that has three generating stations in the entire nation and we practically moving towards enjoying 24 hour- power supply in Rivers State”, he added.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, MrArugu Illamu who was elated for the donation, said it was based on a request by the rehabilitation centre, when he visited the area recently.
Illamu equally thanked Governor Fubara for the gesture and the promptness to which their request was attended to and noted that it was coming at a time the people needed the transformer badly.
He said even caregivers in the centre also needed power, adding that “it is coming at a time that they need it most”.
Mr Ilamu also commended the Governor for approving transformer to the Safe Home, Borokiri, adding that the Governor has so far given approval for the three transformers requested by the Ministry and prayed that the last transformers for the Children Home and Remand Home should be delivered as well for them to have some level of succour.
He said the gesture will go a long way to alleviate the sufferings of the people by allowing them to enjoy what he called “ the basics of life”.

Iriebe John Bibor

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Community Hails Fubura Over Perm Sec’s Appointment

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The people of Ogbogolo kingdom in Ahoada -West Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the appointment of their i daughter, Dr. Mrs Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu as the Permanent Secretary of theMinistry of Education.
The Paramount Ruler of the community, King James Rowland, Obenema-Ibe III of Ogbogolo Kingdom made the commendation when he led a delegation of elite members of his kingdom on a courtesy visit to the office of the Permanent Secretary at the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.
The Paramount Ruler asserted that Dr Uzoma-Nwogu was the first person from his Kingdom to be given an enviable appointment as a Permanent Secretary, stressing that Ogbogolo Kingdom is very appreciative of the Governor for the honour done to their daughter and the Kingdom at large.
He further prayed God Almighty to give her the wisdom and grace to carry out her duties effectively as would be required by her office and later presented her with an award of honour in recognition of her appointment as Permanent Secretary.
Also speaking, one of the elites in the Kingdom and university lecturer,Dr. Arobo R.C Amachree ,who is the Head of Department of Physics, Rivers State University described the elevation of Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu as meritorious and thanked the Governor for remembering the people of Ogbogolo and prayed God’s wisdom on His Excellency to continue to govern the state while pledging their support.
In her response, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Uzoma-Nwogu thanked her kinsmen for identifying with and for the respect and honour they accorded her and solicited for their support and prayers.

Akujobi Amadi

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