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South-East Christian Youth Leaders Back Self-defense Call, Decry Ritual, Cult Killings

Published

3 years ago

June 29, 2022

Editor

South-East Christian youths have called on Ndigbo and Nigerians in general to devise means of securing themselves against all manners of criminals.

This formed part of the communique issued by the youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, YOWICAN, after their meeting in Abia State.

The communique was signed by Revd. Oluchukwu Onuigwe, Chairman YOWICAN South-East.

The group said the meeting was convened “to check the deteriorating security situation in the zone, address mass unemployment which undoubtedly contributes to increase in insecurity, and the need for free, fair, credible and transparent election in 2023.”

They said some of the recent security breaches, including the abduction of the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Most Reverend Samuel Kanu-Uche, the Owo- Ondo attack, attacks in Churches in Kaduna, Benue and others, were clear indications that the entire nation was no more safe.

“It also points to the fact that the zone has been infiltrated by terrorist elements. Insecurity situation is gradually crippling businesses in the South-East region and if we keep quiet we will be overrun by criminal violence,” YOWICAN said.

The Christian youth leaders, drawn from all Christian denominations in the South-East, called on the five Eastern State Governors “to formulate and restructure a workable security outfit that will be more effective than what we have today. And to immediately mobilize the security operatives to comb all the forest in the zone where these criminal elements are camping to carry out their nefarious activities and fish them out.

“We call on Nigerians and Ndigbo to rise and defend ourselves. Enough is enough. The citizens have endured enough hardship, misrule, poor leadership and bad Governance. The power belongs to us the youths and not to the very few in the corridors of power.

“We condemn the growing trend of ritual and cult killings in the South-East. Things that are alien to our culture and Christian traditions are now the order of the day. Individuals are being kidnapped and beheaded by unidentified elements. We call on security operatives to rise to the occasion and arrest the situation.

“We equally appealed to various town unions, churches in the southeast to revive and equip their vigilante and church security formations like the boys scout, MOD, Boys’ brigade, Royal Rangers, Armies of Salvation etc to defend the citizens.”

While urging eligible Nigerians of voting age to take advantage of the extended Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to acquire their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC), they equally called on the INEC to deploy more PVC machines to South-East States.

The communique read further: “We urge H.E President Muhammadu Buhari to leave a legacy of free and fair election, while urging the National Orientation Agency (NOA)and other government agencies and parastatals to cooperate with YOWICAN to mobilize the people. It’s time this agency justified the large funds being budgeted to it annually. We also call on the electoral umpire INEC to maintain neutrality in next year’s general election.

“We call on the government to resolve their issues with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions in our tertiary institutions so that our brothers and sisters can go back to school. We equally called on the governors of the South-East to improve the welfare of primary school teachers and pay them better salaries.

“We call for a new spirit of leadership. Christian youths will not vote for parties and structures in 2023, they have failed us, we will vote for individuals with a people oriented leadership, equity and justice, who will give us back our Nigeria.

“While we call for sustained prayers to check kidnapping, and attacks on religious places, we want to state that if these calls and pleas fall on deaf ears as usual, all the Christian Youth leaders in the South-East will take any youthful measure that is available to us to press home our demands. Enough is Enough, our gentleness is not Cowardice.”

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

9 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

9 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

10 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.