Religion

Methodist Church laments high level of hardship, insecurity in Nigeria

Published

3 months ago

May 2, 2025

Methodist Church

The current hardship in Nigeria is biting so hard on the entire citizens and has resulting in different vices in the country, the Methodist Church has said.

Reverend Joseph. F. Osifuwa of the Diocese of Kwara State, stated this at the opening of the 35th Annual Synod of the Methodist Church Nigeria in Ilorin on Friday.

Speaking on the state of the nation, he said Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Tinubu is passing through a very challenging time.

“The economy has collapsed to the extent that above 90 percent of the citizens are living below poverty level. The removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira have caused continuous inflation on goods and services that they are out of reach of the teaming populace,” he declared.

Osifuwa lamented that “most of our systems, have failed making the situation hopeless for all categories of citizens in the country, while our best brains and productive youths are leaving the country for a better living abroad”.

The clergy added that killings in Benue, Plateau and other states are unacceptable.

“Insecurity that is so alarming needs the serious attention of the President and his service chiefs, no stone should be left unturned in order to wipe out the bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and their sponsors.

“Enough of the shedding the blood of innocent citizens of this nation, enough of turning out good arable land to waste land through killings and sending people out of their ancestry land,” he said.

The clergyman added that bandits and terrorists must not be allowed to take over the country when there are well trained, equipped and empowered armed forces that have the full authority and support of the Federal Government.

“The Tinubu-led Federal Government must as a matter of urgency take drastic steps to tackle all that stand to discredit his government.”

He said the economy needs resuscitation and revival with engagement of technocrats that will sincerely, faithfully and sacrificially work for the transformation of the economy.

Speaking on Kwara State, Rev. Osifuwa, expressed concern over the spate of killings by bandits in Kaiama, Baruten and Ifelodun LGAs.

He said the result of people fleeing their ancestral homes and farmlands for fear of being killed or kidnapped, will result to food insecurity and economic crisis in no distant time if government does not take urgent steps to address insecurity.

Osifuwa further advised the government to work on religious and tribal dichotomy, adding that the state should not be allowed to disintegrate or divide along religious and tribal lines.

“We should be treated equally and be given equal platform to operate. Kwara State will surely be great through unity and tolerance,” he added.

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Religion

Campaign against my role in Tinubu’s cabinet if you’re confident – Wike dares Kingibe

Published

18 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has dared the Senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe to visit the neighboring towns and campaign against his role in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet if she is truly confident in her political standing.

In a statement on Tuesday, Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, said Kingibe was already blinded by the looming prospect of her electoral defeat and therefore unable to recognize the positive transformation taking place in Abuja and the FCT’s satellite towns.

In response to comments made by Senator Kingibe on a television program on Monday, where she described President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Wike as FCT Minister as his “biggest mistake,” Olayinka said, “it is funny that someone who is impersonating by using the name of Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, who is no longer her husband, believes that jumping from one television station to the other to disparage the FCT Minister will revive her dead political career.”

He also highlighted the recent infrastructural progress under Wike’s leadership, challenging the Senator to visit communities such as Saburi, Dei Dei, Kabusa, Ketti, Yangoji, Pai, Gomani, Gishiri, Kwaita, Yebu, Sukuku, Ebo, Ushafa, and others that now boast of new roads, and tell residents there that Tinubu made a mistake in appointing Wike.

He also pointed to longstanding projects finally seeing progress, including the relocation of traders at Apo Mechanic Village to a permanent site after over 15 years, as well as the construction along Apo-Wasa road.

“In Abaji, Federal Capital Territory University, Abaji (FCTU), a university established close to 15 years ago, but was abandoned, is now witnessing a massive infrastructural development.

“Also, general renovation of 22 schools has been done in the last 12 months while renovation of more than 40 others is ongoing.

Describing Kingibe as “someone already blinded by the spirit of a coming defeat,” Olayinka alleged that she is aware she will not be able to retain her Senate seat in 2027.

The reason is, she knows that in 2027, she won’t be able to retain the Senate seat she accidentally got in 2023. She knows that the factor that got her to the Senate is no longer available and she is desperate to use attacks on Wike to gain political leverage.

“Unfortunately, Wike is not in the comity of frustrated politicians like Ireti ‘Kingibe’ who is treating her aides like slaves, refusing to pay their wages and entitlements for months,” Olayinka said.

He advised the Senator to “get real” and stop what he termed impersonation.

“At 71, a woman should have a clear identity, use her legitimate names, and stop using the name of a man she is no longer married to.”

Religion

2025 Hajj: Final batch of Kebbi pilgrims arrive from Saudi Arabia

Published

3 weeks ago

June 30, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The final batch of Kebbi State pilgrims has returned home following the completion of the 2025 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The return flight, carrying 418 pilgrims, landed at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Ambursa, on Sunday evening, marking the conclusion of the state’s airlift operations.

The pilgrims were from Aleiro Local Government Area, accompanied by officials of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, PWA, and other government representatives. Also onboard were the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera, who led this year’s delegation, and the PWA Chairman, Alhaji Faruku Musa Yaro Enabo.

Speaking shortly after arrival, Enabo described the Hajj exercise as successful, attributing the smooth coordination to the efforts of various stakeholders.

“We thank all those who played a role, both in Kebbi and in Saudi Arabia, for their cooperation and dedication throughout the pilgrimage,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, for his continued support and commitment to ensuring the well-being of pilgrims.

With the safe return of this final group, Kebbi becomes one of the states to have concluded its 2025 Hajj return operations without any major incident.

Religion

Hardship: Pastor Adeboye plans prayer for economic restoration

Published

3 weeks ago

June 28, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, is set to lead a national prayer session for the restoration of Nigeria’s economy.

This comes amid worsening economic hardship in the country.

The prayer session will be held during the RCCG’s July 2025 thanksgiving service, themed “Divine Intervention,” at the church’s national headquarters in Oyingbo, Lagos.

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Administration, Pastor Dele Balogun, Adeboye said the current challenges facing Nigeria and other nations are surmountable through faith and positive action.

“Our nation, Nigeria, as well as other nations of the world, are going through a challenging time. However, the good news is that these challenges are surmountable by faith, if we do not entertain doubt,” he said.

Adeboye called on Nigerians to move away from negative confessions and embrace faith-based thinking as a pathway to progress, expressing confidence that God could reverse the country’s economic decline.

He said the prayer initiative is intended to spark national transformation and open up “divine opportunities” for the country.

Also speaking, the Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province 1, RCCG, Pastor Olusegun Macaulay, noted that divine opportunities are often activated by God and benefit those who are spiritually connected.

Macaulay added that a dedicated team is already praying for the nation throughout the second half of the year, focusing on key areas such as the economy, environment, and national stability.