Nigeria is at a desperate crossroads and all right and honest efforts must be exerted not only to chart a redeeming and life-saving course for her, but also, all well-meaning and patriotic persons must, irrespective of any primordial or other artificial bias, division or concern rise up to steer this ship away from the path of certain destruction and collapse.
1. February 2013:
Fulani Attacked Agatu burning several villages, including Inoli, Ologba, olegeje, olegogboche, olegede, Adana, Inminy and Abugbe communities. 186 lives lost to butchery and gunshots. GEJ sent MOPOL to control the situation but they failed. Another attack followed in Agatu in the month of May 2013.
Our attention is drawn to the statement credited to his Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, President Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) on the alleged harassment of Muslims adorning Hijab. We call upon the government of Sokoto, under whose authority the Sultan is, the Federal Government that has the responsibility for national security to call the Sultan to order. We equally call on the Diplomatic Community, International and Civil Society Organizations and advocates of social harmony, peace and security to know the direction to look and who to hold responsible, in case of any upsurge in violence or unrest. This is against the backdrop of past experiences with sectarian crises in the North, Boko Haram insurgency and Herdsmen terrorism. They were accentuated by this kind of unpatriotic, divisive and strife-inducive rhetoric to which the Sultan of Sokoto has been given in recent times. The Nigerian people are called upon to be mindful of the implications of such rhetoric.
Foremost rights activist in Northern region and founder Centrum Initiative for Development and Fundamental Rights Advocacy (CEDRA), Dr. John Danfulani, has decried the insensitivity of President Muhammadu Buhari to the killings in Southern Kaduna, as well as his lack of courage to tackle Governor Nasir el-Rufai over his constitutional breach on the issue.
A 35 years’ old father of 10 reportedly killed and two of his wives, who sustained fatal gunshots injuries, in a recent herdsmen attacks in Utonkon in Ado local government area of Benue State, are writhing in pains after having been discharged from hospital with bullets still inside their bodies.
The two women, according to eyewitness, were shot along with their deceased husband by Fulani herdsmen in the afternoon of the fateful day when they were heading to the market in Utonkon, on a motorcycle, on Christmas Eve, 24th December, 2017.
Tragedy has, again, struck the people of Southern Kaduna, following the gruesome killing of Etum Numana II, Dr. Gambo Makama, in Numana Chiefdom in Southern Kaduna area of Kaduna state.
The unfortunate incidents, which occurred in the night of January, 2018, has thrown the entire chiefdom into another round of mourning as Etum Numana II was said to have been killed alongside his wife.
The Advocates for Freedom and Democracy wishes to draw the attention of well-meaning Nigerians, Diplomatic agencies and global community to the activities of frontline Islamic leaders and organizations, who seek opportunities, to ignite sectarian strife in Nigeria. It is saddening to recall how past activities and utterances emboldened and compounded Boko haram and rendered efforts at national consensus difficult. Indeed, it berthed the Fulani herdsmen phenomenon. These leaders had justified and ascribed the hate-induced ideologically-inspired activities of Boko haram religious deviants as poverty induced.
NIGERIA NEEDS A TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION: NOT A BILL ON NGO’S
Monday 6th November, 2017
To: All Christian Leaders
Christian Association of Nigeria
Heads of Denominations
Heads of Christian Ministries
Heads of Christian Fellowships and Groups
Laity Christian Leaders
Distinguished Leaders of Christianity,
Please find under the cover of this letter a Memorandum from the Chairman of the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), Mr. Solomon Asemota, SAN, to the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, on the crucial need that a Truth, Peace, and Reconciliation should take place as basic prerequisite to Restructuring the Nation. The Chairman of the NCEF enumerates in the paper reasons why Reconciliation should take place in Nigeria.
It is now clear to all that if Christians do not organize to actively participate in Government, the instrument of the State shall be used to progressively decimate the Church until Christianity is eventually eradicated in Nigeria. To avoid this calamity from coming to pass, the NCEF advises all Christians as follows:
It is now clear that if Christians do not organize to actively participate in Governance, the instrument of the State shall be used to progressively decimate the Church until Christianity is eventually “eradicated in all its forms and ramifications” in Nigeria. To avoid this calamity from coming to pass, the NCEF advises all Christians as follows:
Veteran journalist, columnist and administrator, Chief Adetola Adeniyi says that restructuring Nigeria is inevitable as it must be achieved either intellectually or by the use of force.
Chief Adeniyi said in this interview with Business Hallmark’s Teslim Shitta-Bey and Obinna Ezugwu how the Fulani have over the years used the military and trickery to bring Nigeria to where it is today, while also criticising former president Olusegun Obasanjo who he said is the most anti south leader Nigeria has ever produced.
THE ADDRESS OF CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, HIS EMINENCE, REV. DR. SAMSON OLASUPO A. AYOKUNLE AT THE OCCASION OF COURTESY VISIT TO HIS EXCELLENCY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AND COMMANDER IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, MUHAMMADU BUHARI (GCFR) ON 10TH OF NOVEMBER, 2017.
Christian Leaders unanimously declare support for CAN Trust Fund
… urge immediate announcement in all Churches and contribution by all Christians
Nigerian Christian leaders held a crucial meeting today (Tuesday 7th November, 2017) at the Sherpherdhill Baptist Church, Lagos, to deliberate on crucial issues affecting the Nigerian Church and the Nation. In attendance was the President of CAN, Rev. Dr. Olasupo Samson Ayokunle, the immediate past President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Prof. Joseph Otubu, Rev. Dr. Musa Asake, Prelate Samuel Kanu Uche (the Prelate of Methodist Church), Pastor E. A. Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, Rev. Dr. Caleb Ahima, Pastor Paul Enenche, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, Pastor Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, Bishop Wale Oke, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Baba Aladura Elder (Dr.) Bob-Manuel, Dr. Napo Emuchay, Apostle Alex Bamgbola, heads of CAN, heads of denominations and ministries, as well as States and Local Government Chairmen of CAN, and heads of Christian Fellowships. Christian Groups like Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) and Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship were also present and spoke at the Conference.
On Tuesday morning of 7th. November, 2017, an unusual impressive gathering of Christian elders and leaders in Nigeria packed full the Shepherdhill Baptist Church, Obanikoro, Lagos where they all in one accord gathered for a special event to deliberate on the challenges facing the Church in the country. After special opening prayer and the rendition of the national anthem by Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the CAN president delivered the keynote speech at the gracious and auspicious occasion. The Nigerian Church has been through storms over time, and especially in recent years.
