News / politics / Religion / Security

Owo attack: Akeredolu directs flags to fly at half-mast for seven days

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has directed that flags should be flown at half-mast in all public buildings, facilities and official residences for seven days in honor of the victims of the Owo terror attack on Sunday.

This is contained in a statement issued by Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde on Monday  in Akure.

”In honor of the victims of this unfortunate attack, I hereby direct that all flags be flown at half-mast for seven days, starting from Monday to June 12.

”It is a collective loss to the people of our dear state. ”The attack on innocent worshipers at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street,Owo is a deliberate and calculated assault on the people of the state.

”Those who unleashed this unprovoked terror attack on our people have tested our collective resolves.

”We will not be deterred in responding appropriately to this dastardly act,” he said.…

Education / News / Religion

MURIC kicks against NOUN holding exam during prayer

The Muslim Rights Concern has kicked against the examination timetable of the National Open University for the year 2022.

This was made known in a press statement by the Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday.

The human rights organization accused NOUN of preparing an examination timetable that leaves no room for Jumu‘ah prayer, thereby forcing Muslim candidates to write under duress and compelling Muslim invigilators to work in a dehumanizing and despiritualizing condition.

The group described the examination timetable as anti-Muslim and neo-imperialist. The statement said: “The timetable of the 2022 POP Final Examination Timetable released by the National Open University (NOUN) has revealed that Muslim students and Muslim staff of the institution were forced to write the aforementioned examination and invigilate same respectively during the period of the Jumu‘ah prayer from Tuesday 19th April to Tuesday, 17th May, 2022.

“The infringements on Allah-given fundamental rights of the Muslim students and staff occurred on Friday 22nd and 29th April, 2022. Unless adequate steps are taken by the authorities of NOUN to correct the anomaly, it is most likely to continue on Friday, 6th and 13th May, 2022.

“For those who may be wondering what is wrong if Muslim students and staff are made to write and invigilate examinations during the Jumu‘ah period on Friday, it is akin to compelling Christian students and staff to write examinations and to invigilate on Sunday mornings.

“This cannot be acceptable to Nigerian Christians and it is for the same reason that it is a taboo among Muslims and anybody who forces them to do it is regarded as standing between them and their freedom to worship Almighty Allah, their Supreme Creator. It is not only outrageous, repulsive and detestable, it is also anti-Muslim and neo-imperialist. It smacks of articulated religious fanaticism.

“Already, the NOUN authorities have infringed upon Allah-given fundamental human rights of Muslim students and staff involved in the examination exercise on two different Jumu‘ah service days, namely, Friday 22nd April and Friday 29th April, 2022.

“Why do you hate Muslims …

BBNaija / Entertainment / Religion

BBNaija Ifuennada says she stopped going to church after pastor put a price tag on his prayers

Former Big Brother Naija housemate Ifuennada has revealed why she stopped going to church.

According to the reality TV star, a preacher in one of the churches said that his ‘special blessing’ was only for people who can sow seeds of N50k and above.

“The churches I was attending at the time were trying to kill my faith in Christ. A lot of things they did were opposite to what the Bible says. Imagine a Preacher saying he has special blessing for the church but only for people who can sow special seeds of N50k and above,” she wrote. “What of people who gladly sow all even though it’s lesser than N50k and above. Did we pay for the Cross? Could we ever pay for it? Anyway, I chose Christ and left the Church.”

Ifuennada is one of the most vocal celebrities in town. She has never shied away from sharing her takes on social topics.

The actress was one of the housemates in the third season of the reality TV show.

The Olabisi Onabanjo University-trained computer scientist is an award-winning actress known for winning the AMAA award for Best Young and Promising Actor in the movie O-Town.

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EndSARS / News / politics / Religion

Lagos Peace Walk: Church urges support for Governor Sanwo-Olu

The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Yaba District Headquarters (Ogo Serafu) has thrown its support on the Peace Walk planned by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Chairman of the church’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, Special Apostle Samuel Sogunro, made this known.

Sogunro, who spoke on behalf of the church, gave the backing during a news conference at the church’s headquarters in Ijeshatedo.

Sanwo-Olu had on November 30 called on the youths and other stakeholders to join him in a Peace Walk for the healing of Lagos State after the disturbances that trailed the 2020 #EndSARS protests against police brutality. The news conference was to announce the 50th Anniversary of the church, Cathedral Dedication and 51st Harvest Thanksgiving.

Sogunro, a former Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic, said that what had happened was irreversible, but all had to come together and move the nation forward.

According to him, the whole issue about #EndSARS protest and its aftermath came with a lot of lessons learnt.

He said: “The bottom line is that we must move forward as a nation.

“And we continue to learn everyday.

“I believe that what happened during that EndSARS will never repeat itself again.

“So many things, many infrastructure of government were destroyed/

“I bet you if it had been other states, they will not get over it till thy kingdom come, but we want to appreciate the Lagos State Government for rising up to that challenge.

“Lagos State Government has been doing very well as far as infrastructural development and listens to the masses.

“So, the Peace Walk is the thing that everyone wants to embrace.

“What has happened has happened.

“We need to move on.

“Let us come together and forge ahead.

“I believe the government is reasoning in the right direction.

“So people should join hand with the government to make sure that we come together and build our country ourselves.”

Sogunro said that the church, formerly known as The Holy Order of Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement, Ijeshatedo, was founded in 1970 …