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Mass wedding: Catholic Bishop weds  21 couples in Niger … As 400 worshippers receive sacrament of confirmation

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Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna
By Naseer Baba Uthman, Minna

The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna has conducted a mass wedding for twenty one couples in Niger state.

While joining the couples in holy matrimony at the St. Mark Catholic Church in Nsanji Nkoso, Magama local government area of Niger state, Bishop Yohanna disclosed that, until a couple is joined together in marriage legally both traditionally (dowry or bride prize) and blessed in the church it is wrong to cohabit.
According to him “most of the people had relied more on traditional marriage which encourages them to cohabit. And we needed to be sure too that none of them was under compulsion.
“We have to encourage them to do what is right especially as Catholics. With this blessing of marriage, these twenty one couples are now legally and officially married”.
Bishop Yohanna who is also the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger state chapter while adding that, marriage is meant for the prepared adults, told the couples that marriage is a life time commitment which should be built on love and companionship.
The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Francis Yasak Joshua while disclosing that the 21 couples completed their marriage traditional rites especially paying their bride prizes, said they were subjected to three months marriage counselling which qualified them to be joined in the church.
Accordingly, he said the oldest married couple is 24 years and the youngest married couple is 1 year old.
One of the sponsors of the couples Lydia Ishaya expressed her joy saying “I am happy for them especially with their cooperation and I pray God to continue to bless their marriages”.
Some of the couples expressed their joy saying, if not for the leeway given to them, they may not have gotten married even till death.
One of the couples, Mr and Mrs Cyprian Uche who have been cohabiting for 22 years said and now have 5 children who have graduated from higher institutions and the remaining ones are currently in secondary school.
According to Mrs Cyprian “I am happy that my marriage has been blessed now. Ever since I have been a member of the women fellowship, I was not eligible to hold any position because she was not married in the church. But now, I feel so excited because we are officially married and I thank the Bishop for helping us realize the need to do the right thing”.
The following day, the Parish witnessed the sacraments of Confirmation for 400 Parishioners by the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese.

Religion

CAN lauds Gov Bago over reintroduction of CRK in Public School

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Chairman of the CAN Niger State, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna

 

By Uthman Baba-Al-Naseer- Minna

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commended the Governor of Niger state, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago for approving the re-introduction of the Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) in public schools across the State.

In a statement by his Media Aide, Daniel Atori, the Chairman of the CAN Niger State, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna described the Governor as one who means well for the people irrespective of their religion.

It should be recalled that, Governor Bago had said when he received a delegation from the Christian community led by the State CAN Executive in company of the Deputy Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Mrs Afiniki Dauda at the Government House, Minna that the option left is to turn to God and His teachings to rebuild family values.

The Governor while explaining that the CRK would help children to grow with the fear of God, added that “the subject will be made compulsory for Christians in all public schools across the State, because family values and morality have been replaced with social vice, resulting in moral decadence”.

In his commendation, the Chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese disclosed that “the Governor’s approval for the reintroduction of CRK in public schools across the state will bring about understanding of the faith and mutual respect.

“I commend the leadership style of the farmer Governor, because he has shown his commitment to fairness and inclusivity irrespective of religion or tribe, which he said has fostered unity and a harmonious society among diverse groups and religion in the state”.

Bishop Yohanna added that, concerted efforts by the government, parents, religious leaders and other relevant stakeholders is needed to ensure the future of the youths is safeguarded.
END

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General News

Lent: Gov Mbah Preaches Forgiveness, Charity, and Empathy

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Enugu state governor, Peter Mbah
By Our Reporter
As Christians all over the world begin Lenten observation,Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has called the people of the state, Christian faithful, and Nigerians to see the 2025 Lenten season as a time for forgiveness, penitence, charity, empathy, and sacrifice.
This was as the Government House Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Anthony Udeh, emphasised the need for fasting and prayer as well as reconnecting with God and showing love to all.
Mbah made the call during a holy mass to mark Ash Wednesday at the Government House Chapel, Enugu.
He said, “For us as Christians, this is a journey of 40 days that has just started today. This year’s Lenten season is of a particular resonance because, as you know, it also coincides with the Ramadan, and the Ramadan is also a fasting period for our Muslim brothers. So, it is indeed a call to peace and unity for our country.
“For Christians, Lent is a period that we have to forgive and love one another. It is also a period for us to sacrifice, be empathetic, moderate, and above all, give to charity.
“Again, as you already may have heard the homily or message today, this is a season for prayers, fasting and a season for almsgiving.
“So, I call on our people, Ndi Enugu, and the country at large to not only imbibe these values of sacrifice, moderation, empathy and almsgiving, but also to carry on with it beyond the season.”
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Udeh urged Christians to fast, pray, and extend love to their neighbours, describing Lent as a season of sacrifice.
“The Lenten period offers Christians the opportunity to purify and renew their spiritual life as well as to connect with God,” the Chaplain also added.
Also in attendance at the holy mass where prayers were said for the state and the nation were Government House staff, senior government functionaries, and traditional rulers.
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Religion

Ash Wednesday: NCPC Boss urges Christians to uphold justice, fairness 

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Pop Francis
By Our Reporter
As Catholics all over the world commence Lenten observation on Wednesday, the  Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has called on Christians in Nigeria to uphold justice and fairness during the Lenten season.
In his Ash Wednesday message, Bishop Adegbite emphasized the importance of putting God at the center of their fasting and prayers. “When you fast, you must uphold justice and fairness, God must be at the centre of it all,” he said.
Bishop Adegbite explained that Lent is a period of sober reflection, abstinence from food, water, and other pleasures, observed for forty days and forty nights.
He encouraged Nigerians to continue praying together, regardless of their religious affiliations, highlighting the significance of interfaith harmony.
The NCPC boss specifically called for prayers for President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other top government officials, seeking God’s wisdom and direction for them.
Bishop Adegbite prayed that the merciful Lord would bless Nigeria and Nigerians during this fasting period and beyond.
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