News
How To Curb Ethno-religious Crisis In Nigeria – Dons

Experts have called on religious bodies in Nigeria to embrace inter-faith dialogues and negotiations as a means of curbing ethno-religious crises in Nigeria.
According to a statement released by Veritas University on Tuesday, the experts made this known at a round table organised by the Centre for Peace and Development, Veritas University, and the Rosa Luxembourg Foundation.
Speaking during the event, a professor of Islamic thoughts and gender studies, University of Abuja, Rafatu Abdulhamid, reiterated the need for religious leaders to preach peaceful co-existence among their followers.
He said, “Since it is practically impossible to coerce the citizens to practice only the same religion, the only option available is to face the reality on ground, which is to learn to live together in peace and harmony. The way to achieve this is to open the door to dialogue with commitment.
“Without peace, there cannot be stability, progress, and prosperity, all of which go a long way to make a nation take its pride of place in the committee of nations.
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“The conclusion now becomes urgent that the government should develop more political will to ensure that peace is achieved in the country. Further, religious leaders should sensitize their followers on the need for peaceful coexistence. Religious groups should be made to lay more emphasis on the common denominators among them rather than their differences. For instance, moral teachings are largely similar in both Islam and Christianity. Government should make necessary sacrifices and take the required steps to improve the quality of life for all citizens.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of Department, Religion and African Culture, Adekunle Ajasin University, Professor Benson Igboin, noted that Nigeria is currently undergoing a destructive mode.
“In the destructive mode that Nigeria is presently undergoing, talk is important at the political and religious levels. The position that the unity of the country is nonnegotiable is self-serving and does not reflect the reality and demand for talk. On the religious plane, talk is also indispensable. But who talks and how the talk takes place are pertinent because talk can bring about peace or aggravate intolerant reactions.
“We have argued that many conversational encounters have been confused with dialogue in Nigeria. In a ‘talk to’ situation, listeners are perceived as active receptors and passive respondents.
“Taken into a religious conversational mode, one religious leader may assume that he or she must be listened to, and everything said taken as true.
“In reality, the talker is not always correct; he stands on a portal that is not entirely free from subjective mode. Debate and argument regard others as opponents who must be won or convinced to shift the meaning of what is being discussed.
“In some instances, so-called inter-religious dialogue is characterised by debate and argument that leave people more hurt than healed. The forceful language with which religious leaders sometimes express their experiences depicts the tone of debate and argument. This is more so because dialogue should not only be thought of in its formal arrangement.
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“Negotiation also has its inherent limitations as a form of conversation. While it does not regard participants as brothers, it also has recourse to power and politicking that have been the bane of a fruitful dialogue in the country.
“A sense of brotherhood is urgently needed in Nigerian interfaith relations and dialogue.”
PUNCH
News
Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.
He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.
READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack
Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.
“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”
He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.
He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.
Watch the video here
News
Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.
The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.
READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
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Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.
He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.
Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.
“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.
“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
News
Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.
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According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.
“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”
Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration
He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.
“I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”
In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.
The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.
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