By Bridget Ikaydo

Deaf persons in the Federal Capital Territory have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct special enlightenment programme to educate them on the forthcoming elections.

They said that so far, there has been no programme to educate deaf persons on the electoral process, especially the new processes introduced by INEC for the elections.

The deaf persons expressed their concerns on Thursday during a sensitization programme for deaf women on Voter Education and Mapping in Kuje Area Council of the FCT.

Mrs Hellen Beyioku-Alase, the Executive Director, Deaf Women Aloud Initiative, said the situation may likely disenfranchise some of the deaf people, if not addressed.

“We want government through INEC to include the deaf in the election exercise, to vote and be vote for.

“The programme on voter education is to enlighten many girls and women who do not have access to vote because of communication barrier.

“There are no interpreters; there are new processes introduced by INEC to be used to vote, but because of less information and interest to educate the deaf, many of them are reluctant to go out and vote.

“We have over 30 million deaf people and only a few vote; we decided to organise this on our own to sensitise them on the voting processes,” she said.

According to her, INEC has so far shown low level of concern on the matter.

Beyioku-Alase, who is also the President, Deaf Women Association, said the deaf needed to exercise their civic responsibilities as citizens.

She also called on security agencies to protect deaf people during the elections, as they needed to be guided from harm.

Also, Anthonia Onda, Senior Programmes Officer, YIAGA Africa, who made a presentation on voter education, said the deaf needed information on what to do and how to go about it during the elections.

“We urge INEC to get sign interpreters to ensure they are carried along,” she added.

She told the deaf people that they could vote, be voted for and act as agents for various parties.

Mr Shama Balami, Programme Officer YIAGA, educated the participants on the use of BVAS.

A participant, Godiya Akun said with the sensitization, she was no longer afraid to go out and vote.

She appealed to INEC to keep to their promises to ensure people with disabilities were given attention during the elections.

Also, Mrs Enuiyin Bose, a Counsellor, thanked the association for the enlightenment, especially on how people with disabilities would be carried along.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised in collaboration with ABIODUN ESSIET Initiative For Girls, with support from the US Embassy.

It was aimed at promoting the participation of deaf girls and women in the ongoing political process.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Founder of the Love of Christ Generation Church, Rev. Esther Ajayi, has urged Christians to back their prayers with action by getting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote in the forthcoming general elections.

The cleric, also known as Iya Adura, gave the charge in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ajayi enjoined Christians to exercise their civic duties by voting to install their preferred leaders in the forthcoming elections.

She noted that her charge was not to belittle the importance of prayers but to stress that prayer alone is not enough in the matter.

“My advice to Nigerians is to look at this card I’m holding, this is my PVC. It is your power.

“I wanted to talk to my people about it today but that didn’t happen because I had to come here. It’s my agenda for our meeting next week.

“The PVC is your power, don’t lose it. Go and vote; that is the only way you can change whoever is leading.

“At least your conscience tells you that you’ve got to vote. So, go and vote!

“Prayer will help you. Prayer is important, but when you carry out the practical aspect of prayer, it enhances the prayer, and makes it go straight to God,” she said.

Ajayi also hinted on how Nigerians could navigate the year 2023 successfully and tagged the year as “2023: the Year of Possessing My Possessions”.

She urged Christians to be more graceful, and more loving, quoting that the Bible described love as the principal virtue.

Ajayi also called on Christians to develop and nurture relationships just as Jesus Christ.

She, however, advised Christians to be mindful of acquaintances with ulterior motives, but as much as possible have peace with all men.

“There is a place for healthy interpersonal relationship. That’s what Hebrews 12:14 tells us.

“That is the counsel of God, and the benefits are not just personal but goes a long way,” she said.

Ajayi also noted that though globally, times are hard, but Christians in response to the economic difficulties should stay prayerful and try to improve on their approach to evolving innovations and technologies.

“Times are changing fast, and unemployment rate is increasing.

“Even well-educated people are finding it difficult to get jobs, and this puts extra strains on families.

“But with prayers and the right attitude to emerging fields and current technologies, I’m sure Nigerians will have better chance,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Uchenna Eletuo

Some Muslim women on Sunday expressed  love and care to one another to mark the annual Ummahaat (married women’s) Day.

The event organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN),  Lagos State Unit, included enlightenment on cancer prevention and treatment.

The event, held at Yaba College of Technology , Lagos State,  had the theme:  “Seasons and Anchors”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a  team of medical experts enlightened participants on early cancer  detection, management and treatment.

Participants had an opportunity to hear from an oncologist and a cancer survivor.

The prevalence of the disease, especially in African, has become a huge concern to governments, individuals and organisations.

The guest lecturer and oncologist, Dr Balikis Mabadeje,  said that upsurge of the disease and its increased human casualty index in the developing world, had become worrisome.

According to her, many people are unconscious of the risk factors.

“Use of contraceptives is a common cause of cancer in women. Pills contain agents that have the capacity to trigger a cancerous body system.

“An improperly-treated infection can inhibit the body system and cause hormonal disorder that can lead to cancer.

“Early and late menstrual periods can pre-dispose one to cancer.

“A girl that starts seeing her period before age 12 and a lady that, at age 62 still sees her monthly cycle, stand the risk of having cancer,” she said.

The expert said that massive body weight should be discouraged, adding that such should be reduced through light exercises in order to prevent one from being prone to cancer.

She advised  women to embrace routine  check-up for early detection and treatment of cancer.

She decried stigmatisation on cancer patients, saying that showing care and love to them would go a long way in helping them to recover.

A cancer survivour, Hajiah Adekoya Meslimat-Olamide, said that adherence to prescribed medication was important to survival.

Meslimat-Olamide encouraged women to maintain good life-styles.

She added that adequate relaxation and light exercises were helpful. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Ijeoma Popoola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Chief Imam of Area 10 Garki, Abuja Mosque, Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi has cautioned Muslims against indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse to avoid severe punishment in this world and in the hereafter.

Al-Yolawi made the call while delivering his Jumma’at sermon titled, ‘Evil Consequences of Fornication and Adultery,” on Friday in Abuja.

He said fornication and adulterywere some of the highly self-destructive and major sins in Islam, adding that an adulterer was one of the three people Allah would not talk to in the day of resurrection.

He said that islam as a religion was very much concerned with establishing decent moral standard in individuals within the community, thus constituted laws that promote chastity and regulate strong sexual desires in a bid to control them.

Al-Yolawi also said that Islam encouraged remaining firm in faith (Iman) and warned against transgressing the limits of Shari’ah laws by all means.

The cleric said:”Islam has preserved people’s dignity and protected families from being mixed. Therefore, fornication and adultery are forbidden and classified as major and destructive sins.

” Islam has forbidden not only committing fornication but everything that could lead to it , such as mixing of the opposite sexes.

“Others are immoral exchange of looks between the two sexes, immoral words, seductive moves between a man and a woman or being in seclusion in a room, office, car, phone, shop, online and anything else which could lead to this awful sin.

He also listed three people to whom Allah, the Most High will not talk, nor will He forgive them of sins nor look at them: An aged person guilty of adultery, a King who lies and a poor beggar who is proud

Al-Yolawi said fornication and adultery had personal, religious, social, economic, and health consequences such as; poverty, constant humiliation and disgrace as well as darkness of face that would be obvious to people and darkness of the heart.

He added: ” Fornication and adultery combine all evils; weakness in commitment to the religion, as we can see lack of piety, destruction of mind men and women and the decrease of praiseworthy jealousy.

” You will never find an adulterer or fornicator who is pious, fulfills his promises, truthful in his speech, maintains friendship or has protective jealousy over his wife.

“He will be characterized by lies, deception, betrayal, devil- agents and not being mindful of Allah.”

Al-Yolawi condemned the increasing rate of indecent dressing of matured ladies in offices, campuses, parks and other social gatherings.

The cleric also enjoined Muslims to avoid online and offline temptations and keep away from anything that might stimulate desire.

They include: Looking at the opposite sex with desire, talking, touching, shaking, kissing, hugging, watching sex pictures and movies. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Bridget Ikyado

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, His Grace Ignatius Kaigama has described late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as a humble follower and lover of Christ.

He stated this at a requiem mass in honour of Pope Benedict at the Our lady Queen of Nigeria Pro Cathedral Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late Pontiff, Born Joseph Ratzinger, died on Dec. 31, 2022 in Vatican at the age of 95 after resigning on health grounds a decade ago.

Kaigama said the Pope’s death is a reminder that we belong to Christ and our request to return to him can be any time.

He said the church was consoled that the pope lived a long prayerful and productive life.

The cleric outlined lessons to be learned about the life and times of the pope to include, his focus on bringing God back to the centre of all human endeavour.

“He also addressed the need to purify the church and ourselves.

“He hated and discouraged bribe; he faced up the issues of immorality-sexual abuse, abortion, homosexuality.

Monsignor Antonio Guido- Filipazzi the ‘Apostolic Nuncio’ to Nigeria and other Clergies during mass.

” He stressed the importance of interreligious and intercultural dialogue. He worked to build bridges between Christian and other faiths.

“The Pope was interested in a true meaningful dialogue and unity of the church.

“The pope showed interest in dialogue and econiumcum of the church

” After his surprise resignation, Benedict the 16th was only known to have left the Vatican briefly and was rarely seen in public.

” He had a very cordial relationship with other church leaders,“he said.

Kaigama said that the pope loved and promoted unity and peace in African countries through prayers and encounters.

Kaigama further encouraged African leaders to emulate the late Pope.

“He lived a commendable, exemplary and God centred life,“he said.

Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese His Grace Ignatius Kaigama in an interview with newsmen.

In his remark, President Muhammadu Buhari condoled the Vatican, Clergies and Catholics over the Pope’s death and described him as a true servant of God.

The President was represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen.

“I hope he will be remembered as a true servant of God, who lived in humility and peace.

” I pray God to accept his soul whom he lived to serve all his life,” he said.

Also speaking, Monsignor Antonio Guido- Filipazzi the ‘Apostolic Nuncio’ to Nigeria, thanked all laymen and clergies who had come to sympathise with the church.

“I thank the Archbishop and Bishops Emeritus, John Cardinal Onaiyekan,Clergy, Nigerian leaders and authorities, members of the diplomatic corps who have come to express their condolences to the Holy See.

“To be a Pope has a great responsibility and we need to pray for God’s mercy on the soul of the faithful departed, “he said.

Other Christians, who expressed their sympathy, said the late Pope lived a fulfilled life.

Prof. Gabriel Okenwa of the Papal Knight of St Sylvester, described the Late Pope as classic leader.

” For me Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a quintessential servant of God on earth.

“I easily saw him as a world class theologian, he represented a lot and I can further here describe him as an epitome of the church’s institutional memory.

” I also saw Pope Benedict as a man of God who came and redefined the process of peace making.

Rev. Fr Patrick Alumuku, Director of Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja said” Pope Benedict the XVI was a gift to the church and to the world”.

“He was a great theologian and a great intellectual.

” One of the greatest intellectual the church had in our own time.

“We miss him a lot today, we love him because he had thought us a lot, he had thought us the love of God and about our faith,“he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Former German archdiocese of Munich and Freising has planned to bid farewell to the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, with a requiem on Tuesday evening.

As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he was Archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1977 to 1982.

The current incumbent, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, is expected to celebrate the mass for his predecessor in Munich’s Cathedral of Our Lady, or Liebfrauendom.

According to diocesan information, a memorial site had also been set up there where people can commemorate the late pope emeritus.

Such places also existed in Freising’s St Mary’s Cathedral and in the parish church of St Oswald in Traunstein, the church where Ratzinger celebrated his first Mass after his ordination in 1951.

Benedict XVI is lying in state in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome after his death on New Year’s Eve.

Funeral Masses are planned in several German dioceses.

His funeral service would take place in St Peter’s Square on Thursday morning, followed by the burial in the basilica. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ella Anokam

The President of Laity Council of St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, Games Village, Abuja, Dr Ralph Igweh, has urged Christians to vote the right leaders that are capable of addressing Nigeria’s security challenge.

In his New Year message on Sunday, Igweh said their choices should devoid of political sentiments.

“In the true demonstration of Christian values, may we all be guided by the Holy Spirit in this election year.

“It is our civic responsibility to vote the right leaders to pilot this country’s affairs.

“Let our choices not be guided by ethno-religious, social and political sentiments, rather, by values of good conscience.

“We are burdened by security challenges occasioned by socio-economic problems in a country blessed with enormous human and natural wealth,” he said.

He said that our choices should be guided equally by thoughts of the future of our children and generation unborn.

He also called on the parishioners to use their God given talents for the good of self and the parish noting that it is a reflection of God’s grace at work in them.

“The sacrifice of treasure, talent and time graciously given for the success of our common good, is an epitome of encouragement that comes not only from within us as individuals, but also, as a group of people chosen to lead.

“You have consistently demonstrated the virtue of good will and grace,” Igweh said.

According to him, in the pilgrimage of contemplative priesthood, we are guided to deeply reflect on our identity of true apostleship. Apostleship that comes from exemplary acts of being witnesses to Christ.

He expressed hope that members of St Christopher Laity Council would draw water from the well of salvation.

While wishing Christians a happy New Year, he prayed that God would grant all graces needed to overcome all challenges in 2023 and beyond. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Christian Ogbonna

The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Abakaliki, Mr Monday Nkwegu, has called for peace, love and greater unity among Nigerians.

Nkwegu made the call in a sermon at a solemn service in Abakaliki to mark the Ash Wednesday and beginning of the this year’s Lenten Season.

“As Christians, we should be good Ambassadors of Christ. The Ash Wednesday is the beginning of 40 days of praying and fasting before the Easter.

“We should participate in fasting, prayer and reflection.

“The period symbolises the fasting and prayer that Jesus had in the desert before his execution,” the cleric said.

Also, Rev. Fr. Michael Okeke, the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Chaplaincy, Mile-4 Abakaliki, described the season as a period for repentance, fasting, abstinence and prayer.

Okeke called on Nigerians to use the opportunity to pray for the nation’s leaders and oneness of Nigeria.

In a similar vein, the Presbyter of the Methodist Church, Abakiliki, Rev. John Chemeke, also described the lenten season as a period of sober reflection.

Chemeke, therefore, urged Christian faithful all over the world to use the period “to reflect on thier relationship with God,” in order to reconcile back to Him, where necessary. (NAN)

By George Edomwonyi

Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Auchi, has admonished Christian faithful on the need to use the Lenten period for fasting and giving alms to less privileged in the society.

Dunia said this at a mass to celebrate Ash Wednesday in Auchi, in Etsako West Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo.

The cleric also urged Christian faithful to actively participate in the 40-day adoration prayers during the lent period.

“The lord God has taught us that prayer, fasting and alms giving are remedies for our sins, by this we empty ourselves and see nothing in the World.

“The prayers of thousands of Christians observing lent would go a long way to ensure a peaceful and prosperous country for all citizens, ” he said.

The Bishop said that the Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the Lenten period, which usher in Easter celebration.

He enjoined Christian faithful to use the Lenten period to reconcile with both man and God, as well  as give up sinful habits.

“The three cardinal points during the Lenten season are prayers, fasting and arms-giving. When Christian faithful try to practice the three virtues, they bring them closer to God,” he said. (NAN)