Onnoghen: HURIWA warns Buhari govt against marginalising Christians in Executive, Legislature, Judiciary

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Onnoghen: HURIWA warns Buhari govt against marginalising Christians in Executive, Legislature, Judiciary

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari against marginalising Christians in the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary arms of government during his second term.

It warned that the plots to undermine national unity by ensuring that only Muslims head all the branches of the central government started when the Buhari’s administration instigated the “kangaroo trial resulting in the removal of Justice Walter Onnoghen, the only Christian to have held the position of Chief justice of Nigeria in 30 years over some phantom and substantially forged allegations.”

HURIWA issued the warning in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel and the National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf.

The Rights group expressed apprehension that the “exclusion of Christians from headship of any of the three constitutional arms of government at the center offends section 42 of the constitution which outlaws discrimination and also constitute a gross infringements of the constitutionally guaranteed provisions on the Federal Character Principles enshrined in the highest laws of Nigeria.

“This exclusion will mark the end of Religious harmony in Nigeria and may result in anarchy and doom unless political stakeholders take measures to stave off the building up of mutual distrusts.

“We pray Buhari and all political stakeholders to save Nigeria from slidding into a state of mass distrust because if one of the largest constituents of Nigeria being Christians are excluded from the headship of the three arms of government it may not portend well for national peace, unity, and inter religious harmony that are essential for sustenance of constitutional democracy,” HURIWA said.

HURIWA cited the relevant sections of the Nigerian Constitution that speaks against the systematic exclusion of Christians in the political schemes of leadership as is about to happen imminently.

Section 42 of the Constitution: “42. (1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:-

(a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or

(b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions.

(2) No citizen of Nigeria shall be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the circumstances of his birth.

(3) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall invalidate any law by reason only that the law imposes restrictions with respect to the appointment of any person to any office under the State or as a member of the armed forces of the Federation or member of the Nigeria Police Forces or to an office in the service of a body, corporate established directly by any law in force in Nigeria.”

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Religious bill: Islamic scholar, Sheikh Maraya warns El-Rufai against licensing preachers in Kaduna

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Religious bill: Islamic scholar, Sheikh Maraya warns El-Rufai against licensing preachers in Kaduna

 

A Kaduna-based Islamic scholar and former Special Adviser to late governor Patrick Yakowa on Islamic Matters, Sheikh Haliru Abdullahi Maraya, has advised governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai not to assent to the religious bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly.

He noted that the bill in itself is a gross violation of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The state government had in 2016 argued that the religious bill was meant to regulate religious preaching in order to promote religious harmony and peaceful coexistence to topple religious freedom.

It provides for the establishment of an interfaith Regulatory Council at the state level and committee at the local government levels responsible for screening and issuing licence to preachers.

But, Sheikh Haliru Abdullahi Maraya observed that passing the religious bill by the State House of Assembly is not the yearning of the people of the state.

He stated, “What currently disturbs the good people of Kaduna State is insecurity particularly along Kaduna-Abuja highway, Birnin Gwari-Kaduna road and other parts of the state.

“The State House of Assembly should have promulgated a law with a view of dealing with potential kidnappers, bandits and other criminal tendencies that has become the order of the day in the state just like what the Katsina State House of Assembly did on kidnappers and other criminals.

“The primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property and also deliver social responsibilities to its people as contained in section 14 (2b) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.”

Sheikh Haliru Abdullahi Marsha stated that the religious bill contravenes section 1(3) of 1999 constitution as amended, saying that any law that contravenes the provision with the constitution should be considered void.

He added that section 38 (1) gives Nigerians the right to practice the religion of the choice, to change one religion to the other and to propagate their religion either in public or private.

He explained, “Any licence to be given before propagating one religion contravenes the 1999 constitution as amended. Any law that contravenes section 38(1) is inconsistent and should be considered void.”

Sheikh Haliru Abdullahi Marsha asked, “Who are the issuance of the licence, it is said that it is a body of representatives of JNI and CAN. As a Muslim, the constitution does not said l should practice Islam under a body called JNI, section 40 of the 1999 constitution as amended has given all Nigerians the right to freedom of association. This clearly showcase that l can be a member of an association and l can also decline not to be a member.

“Then to say JNI is to issue me with a licence before l can exercise my constitutional right is a contravention of the 1999 constitution as amended.”

He explained that going by JNI and CAN, it means the government has given the two religious organizations preeminent positions over other groups, stressing that it is a clear discrimination against other groups, a transgression of section 42 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

He observed, “One expect the State House of Assembly to outline things preachers are expected to do or are not expected to do. It should be made in such a way that any preacher who goes contrary to it should be sanctioned.

“For the State House of Assembly to pass a bill to make Christians and Muslims not to exercise their fundamental human rights until they are licenced is a violation of their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended.”

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This Is Senate President, Saraki's Easter Message To Christians

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This Is Senate President, Saraki's Easter Message To Christians

 

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki has admonished Christians to emulate Jesus Christ.

The call was part of his Easter messages on Thursday to Christians and Nigerians in general.

Saraki called on Nigerians to work towards emulating the virtues of Jesus Christ.

His message was signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja.

The lawmaker noted that Nigerians must remain constant in their efforts to promote unity across all lines.

Saraki stated, “This weekend, we join our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria and across the world to celebrate the Easter festivities.

“This commemoration is a time for deep reflection as it marks the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his victory over death.

“It is a time to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need.

“It is also a time for all of us–regardless of faith, or ethnicity–to come together to pray for the peace of our nation.”

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Retired Evangelist, Prophet Abiara Of CAC To Remary At 75

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Retired Evangelist, Prophet Abiara Of CAC To Remary At 75

 

The General Overseer of Christ Apostolic Church, Vineyard of Comfort, popularly known as CAC Agbala Itura, Prophet Samuel Kayode Abiara, has revealed he is ready to remarry, two years after his wife passed on.

Abiara disclosed this at an elaborate send-off service held in his honour, as the retired General Evangelist of CAC Worldwide in Bashorun, Ibadan.

While giving his farewell speech, he said: “It’s a year and half my beloved wife Christiana Aduke Abiara went to be with the Lord.

“I missed her so much. It was all over the news when the event took place. A lot of people are wondering and asking questions what would I do?

“I told them I am waiting on God, that whatever He tells me I will do. Well, by God’s grace, I will remarry in few days time and you will be informed.

“I consider it imperative to re-marry because it was stated in the Bible. It was in the Bible that if a man loses his wife or a woman loses her husband, he or she must re-marry, particularly because of the nature of my work.

“My children have held a meeting that it was not good for me to be alone in the house as all of them have travelled out and God spoke to me that I must do it and by the grace of God, you will get informed soon.”

Speaking on his retirement, he said contrary to people’s notion that he wants to quit the work of God, he is still an active worker in God’s vineyard.

According to the cleric, his retirement was in accordance to the church’s constitution, which makes it compulsory for officers to resign after clocking 75.

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How Area Fada Charley Boy Became Born Again In Christ Embassy

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How Area Fada Charley Boy Became Born Again In Christ Embassy

Nigerian Entertainer Charles Oputa fondly called Charley Boy seems to have surrendered his life to Christ.

According to a post shared on Facebook by a group that is being run by Christ Embassy, and some images that just surface on the internet, the singer gave his life to Christ when he visited a branch of the church in Abuja last Sunday, February 25th.

The post read;

In a scenario which could only have been divinely orchestrated, the renowned unconventional musician, entertainer, social activist, and leader of the ‘Our mumu don do’ movement, Charley Boy, is gloriously led to Christ by the highly esteemed Regional Pastor, Christ Embassy Abuja, Reverend Tom Amenkhienan.

Having been invited to church several weeks earlier by a dear sister who met and engaged him on social media, Charley Boy promised that he will come to church. With persistent reminders and follow up, on Sunday, 25th February, he arrived Abuja from a journey and came straight to church from the airport with twelve members of his activist group.

He returned for an exclusive meeting with Reverend Tom on Tuesday 27th February, in the company of some members of his group. Overwhelmed by the expression of Christ’s love, he appreciated our man of God, Reverend Dr. Chris Oyakhilome for his passion for Youth Development and Nation Building, as Reverend Tom highlighted the impact of the InnerCity Mission, Future Africa Leaders’ Foundation, Campus Ministry, Global Youth Leaders’ Forum and ReachOut Nigeria Campaign.

As an activist, Charley Boy constantly demands social and political changes and accountability in governance in Nigeria. He identifies with, and advocates for the rights of the youth and the ‘common man’ in his usual unconventional style. He is indeed deeply passionate about this cause and spoke of it with tears in his eyes, hence his joy when he discovered the passion of our man of God, Pastor Chris for the youth, and the lasting impact is made. It opened his eyes to new and more effective ways to channel his passion.

Reverend Tom then ministered to him privately, and he gloriously accepted Christ and was born again. In his new found joy, he requested that Reverend Tom also prays for his group members. He beamed with smiles as Reverend Tom announced to them, ‘CHARLY BOY IS BORN AGAIN!’ The news was received with joy and excitement, and Reverend Tom also went ahead to lead members of his group to Christ. He also gave them our ministry materials and presented Charley Boy with a LoveWorld Plus decoder for his home.

What a glaring sign that our prayers have been answered! The Lord is doing great wonders in our midst. There is no limit to the length of the Master’s love…it can reach the farthest soul, even those perceived as ‘unreachable’. It is certainly the month of CHANGE! Glory to God!?

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