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‘Everybody Becoming Poor,’ Onaiyekan Laments, Seeks Policy Review To Reverse Economic Hardship

Published

11 months ago

September 17, 2024

The former Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has called for a policy review to minimise the current economic hardship in the country.

He made the call in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of a Marian Concert, organised to mark the 2024 feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Abuja.

The concert which was orgnaised by the Madonna Choir of St. Charles Lwanga parish and partner societies was titled “The Four Dogmas of the Blessed Virgin Mary.’’

Onaiyekan who decried the economic hardship in the country, urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for leaders at all levels to always make the right decisions to curb the tension in the land.

“if the nation is ruled well, there is more likely to be peace, by ruling well we mean, when there is a sense of justice and equity; that our common resources are equitably distributed not equally because we cannot all have the same salary.

“There is a limit to what that people can handle. You can’t tell someone to be patient with poverty while we see the people who are supposed to address our poverty, live flamboyantly, building huge mansions and having fleets of cars without caring how they are fueled whereas, the rest of us are queuing to get a few litres of fuel,” he said.

He said: “There’s need to review some of the policies that are giving rise to the kind of pain and poverty that we are not familiar with, we are not used to this, the middle class is now being completely whipped out, everybody is now becoming poor.

“We are praying especially now that we are celebrating a Marian Concert, that Mother Mary who is the Queen of Peace and Queen of Nigeria, will help us handle the nation so everyone will live in peace with one another and enjoy the good that God has given to this country”.

In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Thomas Edogbanya urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the face of difficulties bedeviling the country.

He said that Mary, whose nativity the concert celebrated, was faced with so many setbacks in life but her faith and hope in God never failed.

“That means we can have setbacks in our lives, but the hope that at the birth of our mother Mary will give us peace no matter how difficult things are, especially for Nigerians, there is hope that the future will be bright.

“The best has been brought through that is the saviour of the world, that is the hope of every Christian it is not the moment we celebrate but the future,” he said.

On his part, the Music Director, Mr Charles Arua, said that the concert was in honour of the roles of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the salvation of humanity.

According to him, Mary who is the mother of Jesus Christ is not celebrated enough, hence, the need to organise the concert to mark her birthday.

“We are celebrating a great woman who also had her tribulations, especially at the birth of Jesus Christ and being there when Christ suffered and died at Calvary.

“The greatest takeaway here is that no matter the challenges you are passing through, once you seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the problem will be solved.

“I use this opportunity to encourage everybody, when you have any problem and you believe in the power of the rosary, the power of the intercession of our blessed mother, say the rosary, go to her,” he said.

According to him, as she did at Cana at the wedding feast, she will intercede for you, I am a living witness to that.

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DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

12 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

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‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

13 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

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Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

13 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.