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Oyo: Catholic church protests over incessant killings in Nigeria
THE Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan on Tuesday joined their counterpart in the country to stage a peaceful protest against the incessant killings of Nigerians.
The peaceful protest which was in response to the directive by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, tagged, ‘March for Life,’ staged to register their displeasure over the killing of two priests and seventeen other members of the church by suspected the herdsmen in Benue State in April.
The members were directed to be dressed in “all Catholic society groups, apostolate, Bishop’s installation or parish uniforms.” Those who do not have any of those were advised to be dressed in a white top while “priests shall be in cassock and habits.”
During the peaceful protest, the parishioners, priests, vicars and reverend sisters gathered at the ST Peter and Paul Major Seminary in Bodija area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital and they were led in a procession by Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin to the state secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, where they were received by Dr. Gbade Ojo, the Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor.
The protesters carried placards bearing various inscription, among them, ‘No more killing’, ‘Christians are citizens too,’ ‘We say no to herdsmen killing’, Every person is created in the image of God’, Nigerians, arise and stand for justice,’ and ‘We must demand what we deserve’.
Abegunrin in his address decried the incessant killing and attitude of Security agencies and President Muhammadu Buhari to the attack on human lives in the country.
According to him since the killings of 2 priest and 17 parishioners on the 24th of April , no words of sympathy or consolation has been addressed to the catholic community in Nigeria for the loss which he said is a very serious indictment on the present administration.
“ We are baffled and highly disappointed with this insensitivity. The perpetrators of this dastard act are human beings and not spirits from the metaphysical world; they live with us, they are in our midst, it is sickening to note that almost one months after the ugly incident, no one has been brought to book, a situation which is unacceptable”.
“ This protest and prayerful demonstration is to register our displeasure on this killings and at the same time to call on the leadership of this country to act urgently on this .Our security apparatus and architecture must be urgently worked on to act and if the leadership of the this security agencies are not able to arrest the situation, they should immediately be relieved of their duties”
Abegunrin noted further that the way the issue is being handled “ gives room for suspicion of complicity between these killer –terrorists and the agencies.
“ Since the president who appointed the Heads of Nation Security agencies has refused to call them to order, even in the face of the chaos and barbarity into which our country has been plunged, we are left with no choice but to conclude that they are acting a script that has been approved of”.
“ If the president cannot keep our country safe, then he automatically loses the trust of the citizens, He should no longer continues to presides over killings fields and mass graveyard that our country has become”
The church argued that repeated calls from many sector on president to take urgent steps to reverse the ugly tragedy that threatens the foundation of our collective existence and unity as a nation has fallen on deaf ears .
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Gbade Ojo who received the church on behalf of the governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi said “it is unfortunate that we found ourselves in this situation as a Nation. Nigeria is bless with many tribes but what we are experiencing today Is manifestation of failure of National Integration and a sign that we are not developing very fast as we should, it is imperative that we learn how to live together as one’ he concluded
He however promised to deliver church’s message to Governor Ajimobi, the state House of Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari through the state governor.
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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