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Uzodimma: We’ll continue to support Christians, Muslims on Holy Pilgrimage ….Receives National Hajj Commission, inaugurates Imo State Muslin Hajj Board

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GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE

PRESS RELEASE

Uzodimma: We’ll continue to support Christians, Muslims on Holy Pilgrimage

….Receives National Hajj Commission, inaugurates Imo State Muslin Hajj Board

The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has sued for understanding and tolerance among people of diverse cultures and creed in order to ensure peaceful co-existence in the State and the Nation at large.

The Governor brought this to bear when he received the Chairman and Commissioners of National Hajj Commission in his office on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

He related that his administration places premium on promoting religious harmony in the State, pointing out that the tenet of every religion revolves around love for God and mankind and as such, “must be the guiding principles for Muslim and Christian faithful alike.”

The Governor pointed out that the visit of the National Hajj Commission was significant, as Muslims and Christians, especially Catholics all over the world, are observing their holy period.

“it is today you chose to visit the Governor of Imo State. It is a thing of joy because as a Governor, part of my interest is to encourage religious harmony where Christians and Muslims live as brothers and sisters, and to put the interest of our country first irrespective of religious or political affiliations. It is a wonderful coincidence created by God. Today is Ash Wednesday, Christians (Catholics) all over the world resumed their fasting; Muslims all over the world are also fasting,” he observed.

He promised that both Christians and Muslims will break their fast in Government House to showcase and encourage religious harmony.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman National Hajj Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman said that they were in Imo State to brief the Governor on the preparation for the 2025 Amir Hajj.

He related that the Hajj Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has concluded preparations to receive over 700,000 participants for the 2025 Hajj in Mecca.

Prof. Usman commended Governor Uzodimma for the sustained peace among religious groups and tribes resident in Imo as well as the humongous infrastructural development in the State.

Subsequently, Governor Uzodimma inaugurated Chairman and members of Imo State Muslim Hajj Board and the 2025 Amir Hajj and members, at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers Government House.

During the inauguration, he enjoined them to be honest in the discharge of their duties and hold the positions entrusted to them with the fear of God.

His words: “If you are a religious leader lead by example whether Christian or Muslim. Don’t be fraudulent in your activities. Ensure that the sponsored Hajj slots get to those deserving them, especially the less privilege.”

Uzodimma recalled that since his assumption of office in 2020 the uppermost in his agenda has been to promote harmonious coexistence in Imo State where everybody will see himself/herself as brothers and sisters irrespective of religious, tribal or political affiliations.

He noted that despite the initial challenges, the State has been able to record huge success in enthroning peace and harmony among residents.

Responding on behalf of the Board/2025 Amir Hajj, the Chairman of the 2025 Hajj, HRH Alhaji Auwal Suleiman expressed appreciation to Governor Uzodimma for the honour done them and for carrying the Muslim community along in the scheme of things of his administration.

He noted that the Governor, since inception of his administration, has sponsored Muslims to participate in Hajj exercises and in 2025 approved 200 slots to put smiles on the faces of faithful Muslims who could not afford the holy pilgrimage.

He assured that the Board members will ensure fairness in allocating the slots to those it is meant for.

Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, Secretary to the Imo State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, members of the Imo State expanded executive Council, among others witnessed both events.

Oguwike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary/ Special Adviser , Media to the Governor
March 5, 2025.

Religion

Pastor Chris Reportedly Fills Up Fifteen Stadiums in One Night at the Night of Bliss

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Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s Night of Bliss on November 21, 2025 has quickly become one of the most talked-about Christian events in Nigeria. The programme was held simultaneously across the country, originally promoted as a ten-stadium event, but several reports and social media posts now claim the gatherings took place in fifteen stadiums nationwide.

Videos, photos and livestreams show massive turnouts across multiple cities, including Benin City, Port Harcourt, Lokoja, Asaba, Jalingo, Eket and others. Reports say all the stadiums involved were filled, though independent verification of exact attendance figures remains limited. What is clear from public footage is that each location recorded huge numbers of worshippers who gathered through the night for prayer, teaching and praise.

Even without confirmed capacity counts, coordinating ten to fifteen major gatherings across different states at the same time is a remarkable accomplishment. The atmosphere in each venue appeared vibrant and unified, with many participants describing the night as spiritually impactful.

For many believers, the Night of Bliss stands out as a moment of nationwide connection, sweeping attendance and extraordinary scale.

Have you ever witnessed anything like this?

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Every member of this church should be awake one hour every night — Bishop Oyedepo reveals how to battle alleged gen0cide of Christians in Nigerians

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Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has warned Christians over the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, following a spate of recent @ttacks on churches that resulted in multiple d3aths and abductions, saying Christians must take decisive action.

The bishop’s warning comes as international concern mounts, with Italy becoming the second G7 nation, after the United States, to openly demand an immediate end to the targeted k!llings of Christians in Nigeria.

Speaking at a Pre-Shiloh Encounter Church Service, Bishop Oyedepo expressed deep concern over the nation’s current situation.

“Developments in the past two weeks, particularly in Nigeria, are worrisome to say the least. There is need for a prompt response in prayers to stop the k!llings once and for all. You can’t trade people’s lives for your comfort.”

“All the innocent bloo.d shared is speaking vengeance… all the perpetrators will pay with their lives.”

The cleric urged church members to launch into “midnight raid (prayers)”.

“Every member of this church should be awake one hour every day for one week before v!olence descends to an@rchy in Nigeria…”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRb2LF9DNnh/?igsh=eGY2aWxvbzM5eDc=

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‘Children Were Crying’ – St Mary’s Principal Recounts Midnight Raid As More Details Emerge

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More details have surfaced regarding the abduction of students and staff of St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State, with the school principal, Rev. Sr. Felicia Gyang, giving a chilling account of how the attackers stormed the premises.

In a video clip dated November 21 and obtained by Sunday Punch, Gyang narrated how the terrorists forced their way into the school in the early hours of the morning while terrified children screamed for help.

According to her, the armed men arrived shortly after midnight, using motorcycles and vehicles to break through successive gates.

“The unfortunate incident happened past 12 when we heard noise, motorbikes, and the sound of cars. Before we knew it, there were serious bangs on different gates in the compound,” she recounted.

She said the sisters quickly gathered to observe the commotion.

She stated, “We got up, and I called my other sisters for us to peep out. When we peeped, we heard noise and children were crying.”

Gyang explained that in the confusion, locating keys to some gates became difficult, leaving her no choice but to exit through an alternative route to assess the situation.

“Apparently, when we were there trying to see what would happen with those that were out of danger at that moment, we could hear the sound of the other bus,” she said, referring to the vehicle used by the attackers.

She added that distress calls echoed from various parts of the compound as the bandits advanced.

The principal revealed that multiple attempts to reach security personnel during the attack were unsuccessful.

She added, “At the end, we heard the security man at the main gate rowing. We couldn’t hear what he was saying, but after some time, we heard them driving off on bikes.

“One of us was making calls to see who we could call for help. We tried to call places around where we could get help. We tried the Divisional Police Officer, too, but we couldn’t get through.”

Asked whether the school had received any prior alerts from security agencies, Gyang dismissed the claims.

“No, we didn’t receive,” she said.

She also denied suggestions that the school had earlier been advised to shut down over security concerns.

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