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Sit-at-home: Seal any shop closed in solidarity with IPOB, Arewa group tells Northern Govs
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum has rejected the recent call by the Indigenous People Of Biafra on the Middle Belt people to join its sit-at-home campaign, warning that no section of the north should be a party to “a deliberate, politically-motivated plan to undermine or worsen the nation’s current security challenges.”
In a statement by the group’s National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, in Kaduna on Monday, the AYCF said, “The North has come a long way in understanding the use of constitutional and democratic means of channelling legitimate grievances, and cannot, therefore, be a party to any undemocratic move”.
The AYCF further noted that it appears that the governors of the South-East are satisfied with the activities of IPOB.
The group stated, “We hope they will continue with the sit-at-home for another ten years and we wish them the very best of luck. We know the southeast is IPOB’s home but exporting their activities to the north will be faced with massive resistance from all lovers of peace in the north.”
“We call on Northern Governors to step up action in order to ensure this outlawed terror gang called IPOB does not infiltrate the region. We also expect the governors to ensure that any northerner who shuts down his shop in solidarity with IPOB, that shop should be sealed forever.
“And for the avoidance of doubt, we will not fold our arms and watch the north get further destabilized by a violent strategy, whether in Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Niger or any state in northern Nigeria because our hands are already full with challenges of insecurity and we are praying fervently day and night to find lasting peace”.
AYCF, in the statement, took a swipe at what it described as the use of killings and arson to press home a demand that the democratic process in existence would have taken care of.
“We call on northerners of good conscience to avoid any undemocratic means, including the burning of government-owned structures, where fellow Nigerians legitimately work to feed their families,” the statement added.
Punch
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Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers
Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers
President Bola Tinubu has urged the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association to devise ways of producing vehicles that would be affordable for all categories of Nigerians.
He said this is necessary as the government rolls out consumer credit for millions of Nigerians to purchase vehicles and other important goods and services.
He also urged the delegation to ensure that locally manufactured vehicles are of the highest standard that would stand the test of time, and complement the government’s efforts in revitalising the automotive industry.
Tinubu said this when he received a delegation of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers and the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association in Aso Rock presidential villa on Friday, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale.
The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, met the members led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms Doris Uzoka-Anite, on Friday in Abuja.
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The delegation had earlier notified the President of their efforts to start manufacturing vehicle and spare parts in Nigeria.
He said that a legislative bill to drive the automotive industry was being drafted and reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
They emphasised the need to develop the industry, which would create massive employment for youths and ease the burden on the much-needed foreign exchange.
The delegation consisted of the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Oluwemimo Osanipin.
Others are the representatives of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), as well as Executive Directors of Stallion Group, Toyota/CEAO and NISSAN.
Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers
(NAN)
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Chicago priest blesses same-sex marriage, says Fiducia Supplicans allows it
Chicago priest blesses same-sex marriage, says Fiducia Supplicans allows it
A priest in Chicago last month blessed a same-sex couple, saying that the Vatican’s recent document Fiducia Supplicans authorized such blessings.
Father Joseph Williams, the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish near downtown Chicago, is seen in an April 22 video shared on Instagram by Kelli Knight, a Methodist minister and self-identified “queer” community organizer.
In the video, Williams is seen in the parish with Kelli and Myah Knight. “Myah always wanted to get married at the chapel of her alma mater, so I surprised her with a blessing of our marriage!” Kelli wrote in the post. The parish is affiliated with the Catholic DePaul University in Chicago.
In the video, Williams can be seen asking the couple: “Kelli and Myah, do you freely recommit yourselves to love each other as holy spouses and to live in peace and harmony together forever?” The two women respond, “I do.”
“Loving God, increase and consecrate the love which Kelly and Myah have for one another,” the pastor then says. “The rings that they have exchanged are the sign of their fidelity and commitment.”
“May they continue to prosper in your grace and blessing,” he added.
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“May God’s blessing be yours, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen,” the priest finished.
Neither the priest nor the Archdiocese of Chicago immediately responded to requests for comment from CNA on Friday morning.
The pastor told OSV News that his understanding of Fiducia Supplicans is that “same-sex couples can be blessed as long as it does not reflect a marriage situation … as long as it’s clear that it’s not a marriage.”
He reportedly told Knight when she first inquired about the blessing: “Please understand that this is not in any way a marriage, a wedding, anything like that. This is just simply a blessing of persons.”
Fiducia Supplicans has generated global controversy since it was first promulgated last December. The Vatican at the time directed that Catholic priests can bless same-sex couples as an expression of pastoral closeness without condoning their sexual relations.
Bishops around the world in the subsequent months have been deeply divided over the declaration. Some prelates have responded warmly to the directive, while others have said they will not implement the practice.
Chicago priest blesses same-sex marriage, says Fiducia Supplicans allows it
(Credit: Catholic News Agency)
News
Don’t host US, French military bases in Nigeria, northern leaders warn Tinubu
Don’t host US, French military bases in Nigeria, northern leaders warn Tinubu
Prominent northern leaders have cautioned against allowing the United States and French governments to relocate military bases from the Sahel region to Nigeria.
The leaders in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly leadership urged the Federal Government to resist such pressure.
Those who signed the letter are Professor Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT), Zaria; Professor Kabiru Sulaiman Chafe, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, representing the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), Kaduna; Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Professor Jibrin Ibrahim from the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abuja; Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CCISLAC) Abuja; and Y. Z. Ya’u from the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Kano.
The letter highlighted reports of aggressive lobbying by the American and French governments targeting Nigeria and other Gulf of Guinea nations to enter new defence agreements allowing the redeployment of troops expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
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Expressing concern, they cautioned that Nigeria, strategically positioned among the Gulf of Guinea countries, might yield to such pressure, compromising its defence and internal security.
“The recent expulsion of French and American troops from Niger due to their perceived ineffective presence raises questions about the efficacy of hosting foreign military bases,” they said in the open letter.
They also argued that the primary goal of these bases, ostensibly to combat terrorism in the Sahel, has not been achieved, as terrorism has only escalated since those camps were established.
“It is important to clearly state that there are only dangers and no gains from such military operations.
“The American operations in Niger Republic, for example, were ostensibly to pre-empt and uproot terrorists from the Sahel region. The result has so far been quite unimpressive if not a complete failure.
“It is apparent that the presence of American troops and other intelligence personnel in Niger Republic is not serving any useful purpose.
“This is for the simple reason that terrorism, far from diminishing, has risen dramatically since the US began its operations in the region,” they said.
The signatories warned against compromising Nigeria’s sovereignty and independence for short-term strategic alliances, highlighting potential adverse long-term consequences.
Moreover, they highlighted the negative impact of hosting foreign troops, including increased living costs and environmental degradation, which disproportionately affect lower-income populations and indigenous communities.
As of now, the presidency or the National Assembly have not publicly responded to the open letter.
Don’t host US, French military bases in Nigeria, northern leaders warn Tinubu
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