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IBADAN: Church stages protest against herdsmen’s killings
THE Word Communication Ministry in Ibadan has joined other churches in the country to protest spate of killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen as an instruction from Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.
The church members after the church service on Sunday were seen with placards with the following inscriptions: enough of bloodshed in Nigeria; enough of herdsmen’s killings in Nigeria; we say no to killings of Christians in Nigeria; CAN rejects FG’s poor handlings of insecurity; stop nepotism, tribalism and cleansing now; enough of government’s insensitivity to killings of Christians among others.
Speaking during a warning protest, the Church’s senior pastor, Apostle Sunday Popoola called on President Mohammadu Buhari to stop the spate of killings by Fulani herdsmen in the country while he advised him to eschew tribalism, ethnic cleansing and nepotism.
“We are sad and very worried because too many lives are unnecessarily lost and we feel we have been deceived by those in authority since the clash between the ordinary herdsmen and farmers we know. There’s no way ordinary herdsmen will have access to AK47 which is used to kill. And again, what has herdsmen have to do with churches. They went to church, killed worshippers and priests. Is that still herdsmen and farmers’ issue?
“We have therefore started to believe that this is ethnic cleansing and that the security agencies, the Army, Police, DSS have been compromised, a reason they are looking away and probably aiding these killers.
“We are calling on the President, the Commander-in-Chief to rise up to his assignment for which we voted him. We mobilized to vote for him because we thought he would make difference, brought change in this country but things are going from bad to worse while the blood letting is getting too much.
” We want President Buhari to protect
lives and properties. The APC have been shouting over PDP’s alleged stealing of our money, but while PDP is stealing, APC is taking our lives. Thus, their sin is grievous than PDP. We want the present government not just save our money but our lives, which is more important. If nothing is radically done, there’s no way we will vote again for a government that allows bloodshed come 2019.
“The Christians should wake up to their responsibilities to express their dissatisfaction until Mr. President give us hearing and take practical action to show he cares about us and not only a section in the country”, Apostle Popoola stated.
The former Oyo State CAN chairman also said that situation like this persist because Christians are not participating in politics. According to him, “the Bible says when the righteous are in power, people rejoice but when the wicked rules, people mourn”.
He called on people who fears and love God and who are not only religious to go into politics so that people will rejoice. ” when people in the name of religion commit rape, murder and so on, my question is, which god are they serving? True Christians are taught to love even their enemies”.
Apostle Popoola therefore advised all Christians, all Nigerians, old and young to go and get their Permanent Voter’s Card, PVCs to vote on those who truly love this country.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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