News
‘Religious leaders lost respect, now beggars to politicians’
The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, has stated that religious leaders who lower themselves to political leaders have lost their integrity and respect.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Rafsanjani bemoaned that communities and religious leaders who ought to uphold justice and serve as beacons of truth in society have become ‘beggars’ of political favour.
“In the past, we all knew how our grandparents stood for the truth. They would face a governor, a minister, a local government chairman, a director, or a president and tell him the truth, not in an abusive way but in a very corrective way.
“Now tell me, who do you see speaking the truth to our leaders, whether privately or openly? We hardly see those things happening and that is why now you will see that religious leaders have practically become (with due respect) beggars.
“A governor will call them and they will rush to come to him. In the past, a governor would have to come to community leaders or religious leaders in whatever capacity they found themselves. Now they are running after the government house all the time or running to come to the villa,” he said.
“I think that has grossly undermined the integrity and capacity they are supposed to have and also caution leaders when they are doing wrong things.”
Rafsanjani criticised the Nigerian elites who appear to have lost their bearing in their fight for justice, adding that materialism has taken over many people’s consciences and weakened the integrity of the entire system.
According to the human rights activist, rather than condemning the actions of the political elites, religious leaders have kept mute and asked their people to pray for their oppressors.
“Most people that are in the position to speak the truth, you tell them they are not speaking the truth or they are simply being quiet,” he said.
“This is a major challenge and you can look at it from different stakeholders in Nigeria. Religious leaders who are supposed to tell the truth sometimes just decide to keep quiet and ask their followers to pray for oppressors. Community leaders are also in the same shoes.”
Rafsanjani also stated that the country will suffer if every Nigerian remains silent for fear of not being appointed to public office.
“If every Nigerian now will have to keep quiet because he or she is afraid that they will not give him an appointment, money, or table, then we are in trouble,” he said.
“That is the reason why, in particular, judges are given this special consideration of respect and regard: they are supposed to play justice; they are not supposed to compromise and be doing all these kind of funny things that we are seeing, delivering judgements through Zoom.
Rafsanjani added that the media and civil society must continue to expand and be cognizant of society if traditional people choose to remain mute out of fear of what would happen to their pockets.
Furthermore, he urged the media and civil society to continue standing up for the truth and advocating for change, and he stated that civil society has a responsibility to promote communication and mutual understanding between the government and intergovernmental organizations in order to support efficient government operations.
The Trump administration has informed Congress about plans to sell nearly $6 billion in weapons to Israel, demonstrating U.S. support as the country faces increasing international isolation due to its conflict in Gaza. Click link to continue reading.
The proposed package includes a $3.8 billion deal for 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, which would nearly double Israel’s fleet.
Additionally, there is a $1.9 billion sale of 3,200 infantry assault vehicles for the Israeli army, according to a U.S. official and another source familiar with the proposal, who requested anonymity since the plans have not yet been made public.
Officials indicated that deliveries of these weapons would take at least two to three years.
These proposed sales come at a time when U.S.-backed efforts to negotiate an end to Israel’s nearly two-year conflict with Hamas have stalled. This news follows Israel’s recent strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, which has drawn significant criticism from American allies in the region.
As Nigeria’s political scene heats up, new allegations have emerged about the appointment of a new Chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The current INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, will retire in less than 60 days after leading the 2023 presidential elections.
There are concerns that the President’s choice for the new chairman could cause major conflicts across the country. Click link to continue reading.
*Scores 84.38 per cent in midwifery council examination
Atiba University, Oyo, Nursing and Midwifery students have excelled in the recently concluded Midwifery Council Examination held in Ibadan, Oyo State. According to a statement by the institution, “the outstanding result once again underscores the University’s status as a beacon of academic and professional excellence in healthcare education.”
According to the statement, the University recorded an impressive overall success rate of 84.38 per cent, “reflecting the quality of teaching, mentorship, and commitment that define the Atiba learning experience,” the statement said.
Out of the 32 candidates presented, 27 students passed all three papers outright, thereby qualifying with distinction, with three (3) and two (2) having reference in Papers 1 and 2, respectively.
The institution stated that it remained committed to supporting the five students who would be retaking their papers, assuring them of renewed mentoring and guidance towards eventual success.
Speaking on this achievement, the Founder and President of Atiba University, James Adesokan Ojebode (PhD), commended the students for their resilience and the staff for their tireless commitment to training competent health professionals. He stated:
“This performance is a great source of joy and pride to us at the Atiba University, Oyo. It is proof that our vision of producing globally competitive graduates who are grounded in knowledge, skill, and character is being realised. I congratulate the students, faculty, and all stakeholders who contributed to this success.”
Similarly, the Acting Registrar, Mrs. Oyepeju Ayomide Ogunseye (Esq), expressed delight at the outcome and emphasised the importance of the success to the department’s continued growth:
“These results reflect the hard work of our students and the painstaking preparation by our faculty. Midwifery is a delicate and noble profession, and our students’ strong performance in this rigorous examination is evidence of their readiness to make a positive impact in the healthcare sector.”
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Sunday Olawale Okeniyi, also congratulated the successful candidates while reaffirming the University’s dedication to continuous improvement:
“We are encouraged by these results, and as an institution, we remain committed to providing the enabling environment, academic support, and infrastructure necessary for our students to excel at the highest levels. We will continue to raise the bar in training professionals who will serve society with excellence and integrity.”
Okeniyi further noted that the performance was not only a major milestone but also a validation of the University’s steady investment in quality teaching and professional mentorship.
With this success, Atiba University Oyo continues to strengthen its role as a centre for excellence in health sciences, reaffirming its mission to nurture competent, compassionate, and ethical professionals for Nigeria and the global community.
“What is needed now is politics that can turn our anxieties about life and the future into hope,” the 64-year-old told reporters.
Takaichi, a former internal affairs minister and close ally of slain ex-premier Shinzo Abe, revealed her bid during a meeting with former Prime Minister Taro Aso, now the LDP’s supreme adviser. Click link to continue reading.
Japanese conservative politician Sanae Takaichi on Thursday announced her intention to run for the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a contest that could make her the country’s first female prime minister, Kyodo News reported.
Takaichi, a former internal affairs minister and close ally of slain ex-premier Shinzo Abe, revealed her bid during a meeting with former Prime Minister Taro Aso, now the LDP’s supreme adviser.
“What is needed now is politics that can turn our anxieties about life and the future into hope,” the 64-year-old told reporters. She is scheduled to outline her policies at a press conference on Friday.
Takaichi is considered one of the leading contenders in the Oct. 4 party election, alongside Farm Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. A Jiji Press poll of 2,000 respondents showed Koizumi ahead with 23.8% support, followed by Takaichi at 21%.
Other expected candidates include Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi.
The LDP leadership vote was originally scheduled for 2027, the end of Shigeru Ishiba’s three-year term, but was moved up after Ishiba announced his resignation on Sept. 7 following his coalition’s defeat in July’s upper house election.
While stepping down as party president, Ishiba will remain prime minister until the LDP chooses a new leader – a role that in Japan’s political system is effectively equivalent to the premiership.
The atmosphere in River State has significantly stabilized following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to lift the six-month state of emergency that had been in place.
Although the immediate tension has eased, the challenges that Fubara will face from the state assembly and local government are looming large.
These potential conflicts could ignite a new wave of political turmoil, threatening to plunge the state back into chaos. Click link to continue reading.
The underlying issues remain unresolved, leaving many apprehensive about the future of governance in River State.
Tinubu, in a statement he signed yesterday, declared that the emergency rule would end at midnight, clearing the way for Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule to resume duties today.
The president said he saw no reason for the state of emergency to continue a day longer.
A fresh prophecy from Prophet Julius Okonkwo, a cleric and the presiding pastor of Kingdom Seeker Ministries based in the United States, revealed that the storm is not yet over in Rivers State.
“This jubilation should wait; I am not seeing peace at the moment, no peace, no cohesion; everyone is in a mind game, the storm is not over, and there will be another brutal storm. For Fubara, the battle is not over; he’s not happy, and things won’t favour him. The governor would be in his office with folded arms, eating and refreshing, but he wouldn’t have governing power. He has not been forgiven; only time will tell,” said Okonkwo in his weekly message.
Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy or Don Baba J, is a Nigerian record producer, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Following the closure of Mo’ Hits record label, Don Jazzy set up Mavin Records. Here is everything you need to know about Don Jazzy’s bio and net worth.
Don Jazzy is the founder and CEO of Mavin Records, Nigeria’s largest music company that has generated hit songs for several of the country’s top singers.
Don Jazzy has produced several popular songs for a variety of musicians, including D’banj, Wande Coal, Tiwa Savage, and many more. He has received several accolades for his songs, including the Nigerian Entertainment Award for Song Producer of the Year.…click link for full details
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