By David Owei,

Yenagoa – The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) South-South Zonal Directorate of Agriculture and Empowerment has congratulated Rev. Abili Samuel Abili on his appointment as the new Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bayelsa State Chapter.

In a congratulatory message signed by the Zonal Director, Apostle Dr. Kiyaramo G. Timiebi, the Directorate described Rev. Abili’s emergence as “a divine placement at a critical time for the Church and society in Bayelsa State.”

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is the umbrella body for all Christian denominations in Nigeria. Its core mandate is to unify the Body of Christ across denominational lines for effective witness and service. Speak on moral, social, and national issues with a voice of truth, justice, fairness, and equity.

It engages government, traditional institutions, and other faiths to promote peace, religious harmony, and good governance, defending the rights and welfare of Christians while promoting human dignity and the common good.

Apostle Dr. Timiebi noted that Rev. Abili comes into office at a time when the Church is expected to provide strong moral leadership.

“We have observed the exemplary leadership of your predecessor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Opelema, particularly in his efforts to unify the Body of Christ in Bayelsa State and his forthrightness in speaking truth to power. We trust that you will build upon this foundation,” the statement read.

The PFN Directorate prayed that God will grant Rev. Abili “a double portion of wisdom, grace, and courage to instruct, counsel, and address issues of corruption, injustice, and inequality.”

Reaffirming its commitment to nation-building, the PFN South-South Zonal Directorate of Agriculture and Empowerment pledged to work closely with the new CAN leadership to advance community welfare.

“We will collaborate with your office to support farmers, encourage training, and promote food security initiatives across Bayelsa State and the South-South region,” Apostle Timiebi stated.

“May God who has lifted you to this exalted office as the number one Christian leader in the state preserve you. May wisdom be your defense and honour. May truth embolden you for justice, and may God’s holiness shield you from shame and disgrace.”

About PFN South-South Zonal Directorate of Agriculture & Empowerment
The Directorate is the agricultural and empowerment arm of PFN in the South-South zone. It works to equip farmers, youth, and women with skills, resources, and faith-based support to enhance food security, job creation, and rural development.

By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has urged Fulani communities across the state to work with government and security agencies by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminal elements within their communities.

The Governor made the call at the second annual Pastoralists Day Celebration organised by the Niger State Ministry of Nomadic and Pastoralists Affairs in collaboration with APC Fulde for Tinubu and Bago 2027.

Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, Governor Bago described the celebration as a welcome development, saying it provides an opportunity to create awareness among pastoral communities and promote peaceful coexistence.

He urged Fulani people to respect other communities and obey the laws of the state, while calling on Nigerians to avoid ethnic profiling, stressing that crime has no religion or ethnic group.

Bago also warned against mob action and jungle justice, saying only a court of competent jurisdiction has the legal authority to sentence an individual to death after due process and convincing evidence.

The Governor commended the Ministry of Nomadic and Pastoralists Affairs for organising the annual event and urged relevant authorities to address the root causes of insecurity in the country.

The National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Baba Othman Ngelzarma, said cooperation from communities was critical to ending banditry.

Ngelzarma noted that it would be difficult for government and security agencies to apprehend criminals if people who know their hideouts refused to provide information.

He appealed to Fulani people who had taken up arms to embrace peace and engage government to address any grievances or perceived injustices against them rather than resorting to violence.

The Commissioner for Nomadic and Pastoralists Affairs, Umar Rebe, commended the Bago administration for establishing the ministry to address challenges affecting pastoralists and herders in the state.

He said the ministry had provided a platform for government to engage pastoral communities and seek solutions to issues affecting their livelihoods and peaceful coexistence with other groups.

Also speaking, the National President of Moggal Fulako, Alhaji Sani Juli, who is also the Special Adviser to Governor Bago on Fulani Affairs, described the celebration as timely.

Juli commended Governor Bago for what he described as his support and inclusion of Fulani people in governance, urging other state governors to emulate Niger State in promoting inclusiveness.

In a message to the occasion, the National Commission for Nomadic Education identified lack of access to formal and non-formal education as one of the factors contributing to the vulnerability of some Fulani youths to criminal activities.

The Commission called on Fulani parents to enrol their children in schools and guide them against criminality and other social vices.

In a paper titled, “Armed Banditry and the Changing Social and Traditional Values of the Fulani Communities of Niger State: A Critical Evaluation of Ibn Khaldun’s Philosophy of the Nomadic People,” a lecturer at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Emmanuel Umar Musa, identified ungoverned forests as one of the factors contributing to the persistent insecurity in the state.

Professor Musa urged security agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders to complement government efforts towards ending insecurity.

Other speakers called for the reopening of identified grazing reserves as part of measures to reduce farmer-herder clashes. They also advocated the cultivation of animal feed and weeds to reduce the need for open grazing.

Also speaking, Hassan Shiroro, the Wakilin Fulani of Minna Emirate, expressed appreciation to Governor Bago for recognising and supporting the Fulani community in the state.

Shiroro said Fulani people in Niger State were ready to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago in the 2027 elections.

The annual event featured cultural performances by various Fulani groups, providing an opportunity to showcase their traditions and promote peaceful coexistence.

By Our Correspondent

Tension as crisis rocking the Chapel of Redemption at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, took a fresh turn on Sunday as worshippers were again prevented from entering the church premises for their regular service.

The worshippers were reportedly stopped by armed university security personnel, who allegedly said they were acting on directives from the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Effanga Offiong.

The latest development came despite an interim order of the Federal High Court restraining the university authorities from interfering with the activities of the chapel or preventing access to its premises.

The court had reportedly granted the order on August 4 and sustained it on August 20, pending the determination of the substantive matter.

The case was subsequently adjourned until September 2 for further proceedings on the application before the court.

Security personnel stationed around the chapel allegedly turned back members who arrived for Sunday worship and ordered them to leave the university premises.

Faced with the restriction, the worshippers relocated to a nearby street, where they conducted their service.

The incident was said to be similar to what occurred on August 16, when members of the chapel were also denied entry and subsequently held an open-air service near the university fire service park.

The dispute followed earlier actions by the Vice-Chancellor, including the removal of the chapel’s chaplain, Rev. Joseph Ushie, and the appointment of Rev. Israel Eyo as interim chaplain.

Ushie was also reportedly evicted from his university quarters, while Prof. Essien Oku, chairman of the church council, was suspended and the council dissolved.

A caretaker committee was thereafter appointed to oversee the affairs of the chapel, a development that triggered the legal action now pending before the Federal High Court.

Counsel to Ushie, Mba Ukweni, SAN, had argued that the Vice-Chancellor lacked the powers under the University of Calabar Act to administer or take control of the affairs of the church.

During Sunday’s incident, the Deputy Chief Security Officer of the university, Mr. Monday Johnson, was quoted as saying that his job could be at risk if the worshippers refused to comply with the directive to leave.

The worshippers eventually moved out of the campus and continued their service on a nearby street.

While the service was ongoing, university authorities allegedly reported to the Cross River Police Command that the worshippers had barricaded the entrance to the institution.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Godwin Etim reportedly arrived at the scene with police personnel but, after assessing the situation, found that the alleged blockade had not occurred and subsequently left the area.

Reacting, the Secretary of the church council, Mr. Imo Nse, said members expected the subsisting court order to safeguard their right to worship while the matter remained before the court.

He said, “We remain committed to obeying the law. Our only demand is freedom to worship while this matter remains before the court.”