Religion
Seek the face of God to overcome economic challenges-Fr Cyril Udom tells CMO
By Ignatius Okorocha
As Christians all over the world celebrated Fathers Day last Sunday, Chapline of Christ the King Catholic Church Kurudu, Rev Fr Cyril Udom (OCD) has enjoined Catholic Men Organization ( CMO) to seek the face of God as the only way to overcome the current economic hardship in the country.
Rev Fr Udom, a religious priest from the Carmelite Order, in an interview with our Correspondent lamented the increasing hardship being faced by most families in the country occasioned by the harsh economic measures by the government.
He appealed to heads of families in the parish not to give in to despair or lost of hope but rather seek the face of God and show strong affection to their families.
According to him,” my message to the Fathers of this parish actually comes from the second reading of today’s Holy Mass where we were told that God is love and that we should love.
“So, I encouraged our fathers who have been so loving to their wives,children and families to continue to show love to one another as a practical way of expressing the gifts they received from God for their families.”
He observed that there has been obvious manifestation of loss of hope displayed by some fathers as a result of the increasing hardship most families have been exposed to since the removal of fuel subsidy and other harsh economic policies of the present government.
Continuing the clergymen said,”First and foremost , l have a message for the mothers and children of this parish and the message is that they should support their husbands and fathers on whose shoulders the burden of taking care of the families rest on.
“When things are so bad like it is presently in the country, the children should support their fathers. They are the greatest pillars of love and affection for their families. This is because God has called them to participate in his gift of being heads of the families.
“Each human father is a participant in the gift of divine fatherhood. So, let the fathers not be discouraged, let the fathers continue to look unto God who called them to this special gift. I am sure that God will definitely stand by them, support them and give them every assistance they need.”
On the increasing number of couples whose marriages have not been blessed, Fr Udom noted that some fathers can not afford to sponsor their wedding in line with expectations of the society while some who are well to do would like to organize a quiet wedding that wouldn’t attract large audience.
He advised parishioners that are yet to bless their marriages to consider its spiritual values rather than it’s social value at this time that things are getting too hard,noting that the idea of spending big money to organize a wedding should not stop Christians from embracing the sacrament of matrimony.
“So, as men, we need to advise such people to cut their clothes according to your size.
This parish has made wedding easy for couples to bless their marriages without unnecessary expenses through the Mass- wedding.
The parish organizes Mass-wedding and bears the cost of entertaining guests after the wedding.
“So, they can always come and take advantage of the opportunity provided by the parish to bless their marriages through the mass-wedding.
The mass-wedding provides protection for those who wouldn’t like their marriage to be exposed to the general public even when they have the wherewithal to throw big parties to celebrate their marriages,” he noted.
Earlier, CKC kurudu President of Catholic Men Organization (CMO), Mr Patrick Ucha said that the message of this year’s Fathers Day celebration dwells on spiritually among Christian fathers in particular and Catholics in general.
According to him,”This message is encouraging all men to be conscious of the trying times which the whole country is facing.
“Every member of the family is facing it. The economic situation in the country is biting harder and we are trying to cut down our expenses to make sure that we face the difficulties our families are passing through with patience.
“We should also be security conscious in some environment to curtail the menace of banditry and kidnapping.”
On couples that are yet to join the CMO in the parish because of their inability to be properly wedded in the church, Mr Ucha said,”those who don’t have their marriages blessed in the church should come and make it known to us and we will help them normalize their marriages in the church.
“We would like to have interview with such couples to know what is really the cause of not having their marriages blessed in the church. But as you can see, we have a committee in place to handle such cases.The committee is known as liturgical committee.”
On the Projects the CMO is pursuing, CMO President said the projects include Solar system and Car Park.
He explained that, “The organization had to embark on installation of solar system in the Parish because of frequent power outage in the parish during the celebration of holy Mass and that prevent such anomaly, CMO had to embark on the installation of Solar system in the parish.”
On the construction of Car Park, he said the Parish has been experiencing car theft during celebration of Sunday masses and that CMO felt that the the major way to safeguard parishioners cars from been vandalized by criminals was by constructing a Car Park within the Church premises and also by installing pm security measures around the parish.
Religion
Pastor Monday Iwat charges A’Ibom Youths to embrace Godly conducts in their daily living for business growth and expansion
By Emmanuel Ikpe
The need for youths in Akwa Ibom to embrace Godly conducts and principles in their daily living has been stressed.
Honourable Pastor Monday Iwat gave the indication while speaking with journalists in Uyo after one of his missionary engagement with Pastor Mike Denigan, himself among other men of God.
Emphasizing that God principles embodied blessings that if embrace, it will trigger the needed blessings one need to meet the desire goal and expectations in life.
While wishing numerous Akwa Ibom youths a blessed new month of August 2026, the Uyo born Clergy, Politician and Architect prayed God to bring open doors to believers.
”May August bring you peace open doors, divine protection, and testimonies. God’s favor will speak for you this month, Welcome to your month of blessings. Happy new month family and friends”, he added.
Pastor Monday disclosed that embracing God in everyday life is liken to drinking water or watering plants that is need of growth and enable the man and plants to bear abundance fruits and therefore causes expansion.
”This growth and expansion will not only be seen in your life but it will also be seen in your businesses, spiritually, financially and materially and this can be achieved when we put God first in our daily living and try to practice the principle of Godly living “, he stated.
Pastor Monday Iwat has learned the ropes and have dedicated himself to work of God in the Ministry of Jesus Christ and have tested the gospel and have proven that that God can do all things and make life meaningful with blessings that knows no bounds and therefore encouraged others to follow suit especially in this perilous times.
Religion
Again, Governor Diri Tasks Bayelsans On Thanksgiving To Sustain God’s Glory.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again emphasized the need for people of state to make thanking God a way of life to continually attract and sustain divine glory in their lives and the state in general.
Governor Diri laid the emphasis on Sunday while speaking at the Mid-Year Thanksgiving Service of the Refined People’s Assembly at Opolo in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, the Bayelsa Chief Executive urged the people to thank God for His unseen mercies as well as answered and unanswered prayers, stressing that Almighty Creator alone knows the best for everyone in all situations.
Governor Diri expressed optimism that as Bayelsans continue to imbibe and practise thanksgiving, God’s glory upon the state will not only expand but also continue to rub off on Nigeria.
Dr Akpe, who performed the dual role of representing the governor as well as speaking as the guest preacher at the service, identified incredible multiplication, divine provisions and punishment for enemies as some of the benefits of thanksgiving.
Quoting copiously from the scriptures including Genesis Chapter 32:10 and Psalm 100:4 and making reference to the biblical Jacob, David, the ten lepers and Jesus Christ, the Deputy Governor enjoined Christians to always reflect on how the grace of God has led them in their life journey.
According to him, appreciating God by faith despite one’s current circumstances can serve as a divine access to sound health and promotion as well as an enabler to do exploits in one’s chosen career.
Governor Diri used the opportunity to appreciate the Christian community in the state, particularly the leadership and members of the Refined People’s Assembly for their prayers, and urged them to sustain their works of faith.
His words: “On behalf of His Excellency, the Governor, I want to thank God, your pastor and all of you for this privilege and for what you are doing for our state in terms of prayers.
“From the scriptures we have shared, I believe that the glory of God will not depart from you and our state. As you thank God, destinies will change for good. You will not be demoted to the realm of shame.
“Rather, you will move from one realm of glory to another. And as you are affected, so Bayelsa will be affected. And as Bayelsa is affected, so Nigeria will also be affected.
“As a child of God, I encourage you to thank God for His unseen mercies so that He will not withdraw it from you. Thank God for even unanswered prayers. And when you thank God, what happens?
“There is divine restoration, incredible multiplication and divine provisions. Secondly, there will be punishment for your enemies because God will arise and take over your battles as we can find in Jeremiah Chapter 30:19-20.”
Highpoint of the service was special thanksgiving by the leadership and members of the Refined People’s Assembly led by its Founder and Senior Pastor, Dr Daddy-Ken Bitere.
The Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa, Mr Irorodamie Komonibo, the Commissioner for Community Development, Hon. Alfred Belemote, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. Godspower Asingba, among other government officials attended the mid-year thanksgiving service.
Religion
Niger state Christian Stakeholders demand Equal representation in the formation of APC 2027 general election
By Uthman Baba–Naseer,Minna
Coalition of Concern Christian Stakeholders in Niger State has requested for fair and equal representation of christians in the formation of 2027 general elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC in the state.
The group Secretary, Comrade Jude Johnson stated this at a newsbriefing held in Minna, and Niger state capital, insisted on their demand for Christian deputy governor for the next general elections or opt for an alternative where their interest will be protected
The Coalition under the aegis of the Concerned Christian Stakeholders has urged Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and all major stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to facilitate the emergence of a Christian Deputy Governor for the 2027 Gubernatorial elections.
He revealed that they vehemently rejected the continuous Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket considering their contributions, dedication and population in the state.
“ We want to use this medium to notify his excellency that we have capable hands in Niger East (zoneB), Senatorial District,who have the prerequisite requirements and are dedicated members of APC.
“ Information at our disposal indicate that we have more of Christians in Zone B of the state,then why not give the body a fair treatment by picking a Deputy from amongst Christians” the Secretary asked.
According to him, Christians are over forty five percent (45%) in terms of population in Niger state, the ruling government has undermined and relegated Christians; in the just concluded Primaries of the APC, qualified and popular Christian politicians who Aspired to contest and be voted into various elective positions were compelled to drop their ambitions because of their religion.
Comrade Jude Johnson emphasized that having a Christian Deputy Governor in Niger state is not just about religion but it is important because of inclusive representation; justice, equity and fairness; strengthened Democracy and unity of purpose.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Coalition, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa insisted in an equal representation of christian in governance, adding that the group is on the same page with the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN in Niger state in the agitation of Christian deputy governor.
Vatsa stated that allowing such marginalisation and deliberate segregation during the previous administration during the 2023 elections, they will not tolerate it this second term. Saying that same faith (Muslim-Muslim) ticket is insensitive to the state’s religious diversity.
He said, as a coalition, we declare that it is not politically, economically, educationally, or socially wise for us to accept another four years of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. This is a legitimate concern for equity, and no one can query our right to demand a seat at the table.
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