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Christmas: Don’t lose hope in Nigeria, CAN Chairman tells citizenry
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country, though confronted with the harsh realities of corruption, inequality and other challenges.
The Chairman of CAN in Ondo State, Reverend Father Anselm Ologunwa, stated this in his 2024 Christmas message on Tuesday in Akure.
Speaking on the theme: “Hope in the Lord amidst the Corruption and Injustice of our World today”, Ologunwa implored Christians, Muslims, and adherents of other faiths to have trust in the Lord as they trod the path of truth.
The CAN chairman said that it was worrisome that the world, created in justice and by the wisdom of God, could with time become plagued by corruption, injustice, and darkness.
He stated that as a result of the war between the light and the darkness, the Christmas season reminds us of God’s purpose of creating us all.
The CAN chairman encouraged Nigerians to endure the challenges and hardships that came their way, noting that with prayer, they would overcome the world.
“We must remember that our Lord Jesus Christ endured the cross for our sake and won the race (Hebrews Chapter 12 verse 2 to 3).
“Thus, as Christians, in this season of joy and celebration, we are reminded of the hope that Jesus brings to our world,” he stated.
He said that the salvation of the righteous came from the Lord whom he described as the stronghold in times of trouble.
The chairman urged Christians to cultivate the theological Christian virtues as they embarked on spiritual journey towards God.
He enjoined Christians to uphold the virtues of faith, hope and love by standing for righteousness, even in the face of adversity.
“We should hold on to the hope that Jesus brings. hope that transcends the corruption and injustice of our world.
“As demanded of us, demonstrate the love of Christ to those around you. Love that is patient, kind, and compassionate (1 Corinthians Chapter 13 verses 4 to 7,” he said.
Ologunwa charged the Christian faithful to be people of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
He called on them to reflect on of the true meaning of Christmas, which he described as love, mercy, and redemption that Jesus brought to the world.
The CAN chairman also prayed that the season would induce harmonious relationship among Muslim brothers and sisters and adherents of other faiths, as the nation strove for peace, harmony, and understanding.(NAN)
Says ‘POLICE MUST PAY N100 MILLION AS COMPENSATION’
The magistrate court in Apapa, Lagos, has freed Alabi Quadri, the teenager who went viral in the buildup to the 2023 presidential election.
The photograph of Quadri making an appearance before Peter Obi’s campaign motorcade had gained traction online at the time.
On Thursday, Adetola Olorunfemi, the magistrate, ordered the release of Quadri following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The DPP had averred that there is no evidence to substantiate the armed robbery allegation against the minor.
In a recent social media post, an activist had shared that Quadri has been in Kirikiri prison since January 2025 “for an offence he did not commit”.
The teenager was said to have been returning home from work when he was forcefully taken to the police station by some young men over claims that he was among a group of robbers in the community.
The teenager’s mother attributed Quadri’s ordeal to the entitlement of some street urchins to the largesse he reportedly received after making the headlines in 2023.
The post had caught the attention of many Nigerians, including Obi and Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer.
Commenting on the court judgment, Effiong, the teenager’s lawyer, said the police must pay N100 million to Quadri as compensation and tender a public apology.
The human rights lawyer demanded that the Lagos police command must remove the divisional police officers of Amukoko for participating in the alleged framing of the teenager for armed robbery.
“We commend the DPP for standing by the truth in this matter,” Effiong said.
“We demand that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, and the Inspector General of Police, should as a matter of urgency, remove the DPO of Amukoko Divisional Headquarters and subject him to orderly room trial along with the IPO, one Inspector Odigbe Samuel, and other officers who participated in this evil, sinister, oppressive, and corrupt scheme of framing-up a teenager for armed robbery at the behest of rogue ‘Area Boys’.
“We demand that the Nigeria Police Force should pay the sum of One Hundred Million Naira (N100,000,000.00) to our client as compensation.
“Also, we also demand a public apology from the police. If the above three remedial demands are not fully complied with immediately, we shall initiate legal actions to seek redress.
“Quadri’s case is a painful example of the putrefying corruption, monstrous impunity, and pervasive injustice in the Nigeria Police Force.”
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to immediately remove the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, citing a breach of constitutional procedure and defiance of President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
In a statement provided to Elanza News on Thursday, Falana referenced the official Federal Government Gazette, which outlined the terms governing the Sole Administrator’s operations.
According to the document, “the Sole Administrator shall operate on the basis of such Regulations that may, from time to time, be issued by me,” President Bola Tinubu stated.
However, Falana noted that “it is common knowledge that President Bola Tinubu has not issued any Regulation for the operation of the Sole Administrator.”
Despite this, the appointed Sole Administrator has proceeded to make appointments and remove officials who were earlier appointed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Describing the development as unlawful, Falana said: “By treating the orders of President Bola Tinubu with contempt, the Sole Administrator has compounded the illegality of his appointment.
The Sole Administrator ought to be removed without any further delay.”
The legal luminary’s position comes amid a broader political crisis in Rivers State, where the legitimacy of key appointments and the balance of powers between the state and federal government continue to generate intense debate.
By Abubakar Yunusa
Dr Yusuf John Suberu, founder of the Dr Yusuf John Suberu Foundation, has congratulated Nigeria on being honoured with the prestigious Kofi Annan Road Safety Award at a ceremony in Eswatini.
The award recognises the country’s significant progress in reducing road crashes and improving safety..
The accolade, celebrated by stakeholders across the continent, highlights Nigeria’s dedication to improving road safety standards.
Dr. Yusuf John Suberu, founder of the Dr. Yusuf John Suberu Foundation, attended the event and engaged with prominent figures, including the Ministers of Transportation from Cameroon and Eswatini, as well as Mr. John Todd, the United Nations Envoy on Road Safety.
The foundation, which focuses on poverty alleviation, education, and health, praised the Federal Government’s achievement as a milestone in fostering safer communities.
“This award reflects Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to road safety, a cause that resonates deeply with our mission to empower and uplift communities,” Dr. Suberu said in a statement.
“We commend the government and reaffirm our support for initiatives promoting sustainable development and safety.”
The Dr. Yusuf John Suberu Foundation has impacted over 5,000 individuals in the past year through its programmes and aims to train 500 youths in the Federal Capital Territory with skills for financial independence and self-employment.
The organisation views the award as a testament to the power of collective action in driving meaningful change.
The foundation expressed its eagerness to deepen collaboration with government bodies, international organisations, and local stakeholders to advance road safety and community development across Nigeria.