The Federal government has been urged to accede to the demands by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to prevent irregular academic calendars in Nigerian universities.
The Assistant General Overseer in charge of African Mission of the Gospel Faith Mission International, Pastor Samuel Okomolehin gave the charge in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Ibadan.
Pastor Okomolehin who lamented incessant strikes by ASUU, said adequate funding of Nigerian universities was inevitable if the nation’s institution of higher learning must be at par with its counterparts in the developed country.
The clergyman urged the striking lecturers and federal government to return to the negotiation table with a view to resolving the lingering conflict.
Speaking ahead of the 2023 general elections, Pastor Okomolehin said aspiring politicians should abide by the rules guiding the electoral process rather than seeing it as a do-or-die affair.
Pastor Okomolehin who appealed to politicians to have a heart of service towards the masses, urged current political office holders to shun corruption and focus more on people-oriented policies and programmes.
As Nigeria marks its 61st anniversary today, some churches in Ibadan held special prayers for a turnaround in the country.
Our correspondent who monitored the situation around Ojoo area of Ibadan reports that the prayers centered on good governance, security, peace, economic stability, progress, and unity in the country.
At the Church of God Mission International, Ojoo, the pastor in charge of the church, Paul Jegede said the devil was not relenting in causing crises in the country, adding that hope should not be lost in the emergence of a better Nigeria which he said would manifest in the nearest future.
The story was the same at the Gospel Faith Mission International, GOFAMINT, Ojoo where the church members converged to raise their voices in prayers to God for divine intervention in the economic and political stability of the country.
Pastor in charge of Region Eleven of the church, Ademola Akangbe, and the resident pastor of Agbowo Assembly of the church, Daniel Jimoh said it was the mandate of the church to pray for the nation during Independence Anniversary.
The pastors who urged Christians not to relent in their prayers for the nation’s leaders expressed optimism that the current challenges in the country would be a thing of the past.
At the Christ the Same Evangelical Ministry, Shasha, the church members prayed against the activities of evil men whom they said were frustrating the positive change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.
General Overseer of the church, Reverend Abel Oyediran said the church would not cease in praying for the nation’s leaders until actual positive change materialized.
The cleric appealed to aggrieved groups in the country to work towards the unity of the country rather clamouring for division which he said would not yield meaningful results for the nation.
Christian worshipers in Ibadan were in high spirit celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ as Easter Sunday is marked worldwide.
Our correspondent who monitored the situation at Agbowo, Mokola, Ojoo, Dugbe, Apata and Iwo Road, reports that the worshippers were in various churches to mark the all-important event in the Christian calendar.
At the Methodist Church Nigeria, Eko Tedo Dugbe, Saint James Cathedral Oke Bola, Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Agbara and the Gospel Faith Mission International Agbowo, worshippers rendered songs that reflected the resurrection of Jesus and renewed hope of better future.
In an interview, the pastor in charge, Region Eleven of the Gospel Faith Mission International, Pastor Ademola Akangbe said the resurrection of Jesus Christ brought hope to the Christians and all who are ready to embrace Jesus.
The cleric, who described Jesus’ sacrifice as a mark of commitment to humanity, used the occasion to call on government to remain committed to the masses through the provision of infrastructures.
Speaking in the same vein, the Presbyter, Methodist Church of Nigeria, The Very Reverend Abraham Akinyode, stressed the need for government to put an end to incessant killings and religious intolerance, which he said were inimical to the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.
Government at all level has been advised to intensify efforts to end security crises hampering the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
The Cleric-in-charge of the Gospel Faith Mission International, GOFAMINT, Agbowo Assembly, Ibadan, Pastor Akin Aro, gave the advice while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the current spate of killings in the country.
Pastor Aro noted that the negative effects of COVID-19 should not be allowed to become compounded by insecurity, saying security of life and property remained fundamental to foreign investment drive in the country.
Pastor Aro who advised citizens to be security-conscious also encouraged government to ensure constant training of security personnel and equipping them adequately to meet current security issues and demands.
Speaking on the planned reopening of schools in the country, the cleric implored government to ensure sufficient provision of preventive kits to contain further spread of the disease.
Pastor Aro also advised school administrators to monitor compliance to various COVID-19 safety protocols.
The remains of the former Governor of Old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua have been committed to his mother’s earth with a call Nigerians, especially the leaders to use every season of their lives to serve humanity.
This formed part of the submissions of clerics and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi at the final ceremony for late Ishola Bamidele Olumilua in his country home, Ikere Ekiti.
Our correspondent Oriola Afolabi, who was there, reports that the burial ceremony was attended by people from all walks of life, including two former governors of Ekiti, Chief Segun Oni and Chief Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko as well as representative of the Vice President, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.
In a sermon titled “Trinity of life” the Assistant Evangelist at the Gospel Faith Mission International, Reverend Oludare Falade, charged the people to always serve with the fear of God and desist from actions that could rob them of eternal rest.
Reverend Falade, who described life as an opportunity, said no man on earth would not experience death, hence the need for leaders to be ready to give their account of stewardship on the last day.
He noted that everyone irrespective of status would be judged according to whatever that might have been written about themselves while on earth.
Also, Bishop Felix Adejumo of the Agape Church, who lamented that the values of the nation had gone to the drain, said many people no longer cared about God, but their pockets.
Bishop Adejumo prayed God to transform Nigeria and save the country from the current woe.
In a remark, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi said that the dignitaries on the occasion speak volumes of the legacy and impactful life lived by Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua.
Governor Fayemi maintained that the late Olumilua served meritoriously in the Old Ondo State and contributed meaningfully to the growth of Nigeria.
He called on leaders and members of the society to emulate the selfless service of Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua.
In their brief remarks, one of the sons of the deceased, who is also the commissioner for information, Mr Muyiwa Olumilua and the first daughter, Mrs Yetunde Banjo, expressed appreciation to those who made the burial of their father a befitting one.
They also described their father as a tolerant and hardworking, who always respected people’s opinions.
Governments have been advised to intensify efforts toward putting an end to incessant rape in the country.
The cleric in charge of Region Eleven of the Gospel Faith Mission International, GOFAMINT, Pastor Ademola Akangbe gave the advice while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the reasons behind rape cases in the country.
Pastor Akangbe who bemoaned the recent incidents of rape in the country explained that perpetrators lacked the fear of God saying government must not allow the trend to drag longer before nipping it in the bud.
The cleric said perpetrators of rape would not escape the bitter consequence of their actions unless they have a change of heart without delay.
While calling on Christians not to be discouraged by the current health crises in the world, Pastor Akangbe stressed the need for them to continue to pray for the restoration of peace in the country.
He also enjoined Christians to adhere strictly to precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
