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Israel-Hamas War: Pilgrims Commission Dumps Jerusalem For Rome, Greece

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4 months ago

January 11, 2024

Editor

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam, has said that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has necessitated the change from visits to Biblical sites in Israel and Jordan to sites in Greece and Rome.

Pam made this known on Wednesday while addressing journalists in Abuja and emphasised that the security and welfare of the pilgrims remained the prime concern of the NCPC.

He noted that the commission had suspended the December 2023 pilgrimage to Israel due to the same concerns, adding that after a prolonged wait for the Israel/Hamas conflict, which began on October 7, to be over, he had personally led a research team to assess and inspect accommodation facilities and existing Biblical sites in Greece and Rome.

“I have led NCPC teams to inspect holy sites across Greece and Rome. We have discussed extensively with government and local authorities and security. Accommodation and good hospitality are assured as the very first batch of Nigerian Christian pilgrims visit these places to connect physically with New Testament locations of the gospel and do spiritual exercises, including meditation and prayers for our dear nation.

“Also, arrangements for smooth flight, good meals and local transportation have been concluded for the 2023/2024 main pilgrimage; state governments, state offices of Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards, churches and individuals have been formally informed about the modalities and the N3m cost that only requires some augmentation of payment previously made for the Israel/Jordan trip,” he said.

Pam explained that the new pilgrimage sites will include places where Apostle Paul, otherwise known as Saint Paul, passionately spread the teachings of Jesus Christ, converting polytheists and idol worshippers through extensive physical journeys and remarkable contributions that remain very significant parts of the New Testament to date.

The NCPC also stated that the new N3m pilgrimage cost covering return flight ticket, hotel accommodation, three-course meal per day, and tours of holy sites in executive luxury buses for six nights and seven days, was exclusive of pilgrims’ travelling allowances while states and private pilgrims were expected to meet up with payments before the last day of January 2024.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, approved the appointment of nine members to serve on the board of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu appoints new board of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission.’

The new appointees include Colonel Aloche Adole as Chairman, Dr. Stephen Adegbite as Secretary, Mrs Omowumi Ogunlola as member, South-West, Clement Nweke as member, South-East and Prince Wosu as Member, South-South.

Others are Prof. Joseph Mamman as member, North-West, Dr. Toma Ragnjiya, member, North-East, Dr. Simon Dolly, member, North-Central and Raphael Nwankwo representing the Christian Association of Nigeria.

According to Ngelale, the President charged the new appointees to “consider their appointment as an opportunity to serve the nation and, as such, wholly commit themselves to this important purpose.”

Related Topics:Greece Hamas Gaza Israel Rome

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JUST-IN: 34 Dead, 16 Missing In Indonesia Floods

Published

5 hours ago

May 12, 2024

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At least 34 people have died and 16 more were missing after floods on Sumatra island in western Indonesia, the spokesperson for the West Sumatra disaster mitigation agency said Sunday.

“Until now our data shows that 34 people died: 16 in Agam and 18 in Tanah Datar. At least 18 others are injured. We are also still searching for 16 other people,” Ilham Wahab told AFP, referring to two districts in West Sumatra province.

Details later…

AFP

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Failure To Prosecute Deborah’s Killers Two Years After, Reinforcement Of Impunity – Amnesty International

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7 hours ago

May 12, 2024

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Amnesty International has condemned the Nigerian authorities for their failure to bring the murderers of Deborah Samuel to justice.

Deborah, a Christian and a second-year student of Home Economics at Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was lynched by Islamic extremists and subsequently set ablaze on May 12, 2022.

This occurred after she had advised her classmates against posting religious materials on their WhatsApp page.

In a press release made available to newsmen on Saturday, the director of the human rights organisation, Isa Sanusi, stated that the failure to bring Deborah’s killers to justice serves as a reinforcement of impunity.

Sanusi said, “On the day Deborah was killed, in a flagrant show of utter disdain for the sanctity of life and impunity, a video footage of a raging fire and a man facing the camera, bragging that he killed and burnt Deborah Samuel — while also brandishing a matchbox — was widely shared on social media.

“Even though the suspects were arrested but in what appears to be an encouragement for impunity suspected killers were not properly charged and were ultimately set free — going away with blood on their hands.

“By failing, again and again, to ensure that those suspected of responsibility of killing(s) over alleged blasphemy are brought to justice, the Nigerian authorities continue to create a permissive environment for brutality.”

Sanusi emphasised that the reluctance of the government to address violence perpetrated in the name of religion has effectively conveyed the message that individuals can commit egregious abuses under the guise of religion and evade accountability.

“It is never too late for the Nigerian authorities to rearrest those suspected of killing Deborah Samuel and ensure that they face justice through fair trial.

“Nigerian authorities have an obligation under Nigerian and international human rights law to protect lives and to uphold the rule of law,” Sanusi added

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Nine-year-old Stabs Pupil,10, To Death On While Returning From School In South Africa

Published

1 day ago

May 11, 2024

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A nine-year-old boy stabbed a 10-year-old boy to death after they got into a fight while on their way home from school in Brandfort, Free State, South Africa.

South African Police Service (SAPS) Free State spokesperson, Captain Stephen Thakeng, who confirmed the incident on Friday, May 10, 2024, said the nine-year-old boy went to his house to retrieve a knife, returned and stabbed the deceased to death.

“It is alleged that two schoolboys, from different schools, were on their way to their respective homes on 08 May 2024 at about 16:00 when a fight reportedly broke out between them,” he said.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the nine-year-old boy went to get a knife from his home nearby and returned, stabbing the 10-year-old boy.

“Police were informed about the incident and upon arrival, found a 10-year-old boy still in school uniform lying inside the ambulance with a stab wound on the left side of his chest.

“The paramedics pointed out a silver stainless steel knife with a black handle on the ground.

“The boy was certified dead at the scene in one of the streets of Nomzamo Park, Majwemasweu, Brandfort. The mother identified the deceased as her son.

“Both are Grade 4 learners in different primary schools in Brandfort. An inquest has been registered and the nine-year-old child was handed over to his parents to be referred to social workers.” he added.

Also confirming the incident, the Free State Education MEC, Makalo Mohale, identified the deceased as Kamogelo Leepile, a learner at WSM Malotle Primary School in Brandfort.

This incident happened in full view of other learners who were on their way home.

Mohale said that Kamogelo Leepile was stabbed three times by the grade 4 learner from Monamodi Primary School.

The Free State Education Spokesperson Howard Ndaba said the suspect who according to his mother, has complained of consistent bullying by the deceased and his brother was taken to the police station on Thursday morning 9 May.

MEC Mohale has called on schools to be safe spaces for both learners and teachers.

Mohale said the incident can only be described as “ abhorrent and travesty “.’

“We strongly condemn any acts of learner misconduct including bullying and relentlessly appeal to parents in assisting to enforce discipline in and outside the school environment.”

Psycho-social services have been sent to both schools to provide counselling.