Andomiz MEDIA PLUS

13/03/2025

2025 CBCN COMMUNIQUE: ABUJA
By CSN Media
March 13, 2025

THE JUBILE YEAR OF HOPE: A LIGHT FOR A NEW NIGERIA

A Communiqué issued at the end of the First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the CSN Resource Centre, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja, 8 -14 March 2025

1. PREAMBLE

We, the Catholic Bishops’ of Nigeria, held our First Plenary Meeting for the year at the CSN Resource Centre, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja, from 8-14 March 2025. Having prayerfully deliberated on issues affecting the Church and the Nigerian State, we issue this Communiqué:

2. THE JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE

The Holy Father Pope Francis on 9 May 2024 issued the Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025 titled, Spes Non Confundit (“Hope does not disappoint” Romans 5:5). With this document, the Holy Father invites the whole Church to reflect on and embrace the virtue of Hope. In his words: “Hope is born of love and based on the love springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the Cross” (Spes Non Confundit, 3). The Jubilee Year of Hope invites the whole world to a new impetus for renewal. It also presents the Church with a profound opportunity for introspection and renewed commitment to its mission within both the Nigerian and global contexts. It serves as a rallying call for renewed catechesis, scriptural literacy, and authentic Christian witnessing, ensuring that the Church remains a beacon of light to the society (cf. Matthew 5:14-16). In spite of the numerous challenges of the modern times, there is still a firm basis for hope. We are invited to embrace the virtue of hope with the certainty that it does not disappoint. The Lord is ever faithful to his Word (cf. Romans 8:28).

3. THE STATE OF THE NATION

(i) Positive Developments and Some Challenges

Our nation has recently witnessed some positive development. These include the reinvigoration of the Petroleum Industry, the rehabilitation of some dilapidated roads and the construction of new ones across the nation, the introduction of the student loan scheme, the new minimum wage, and the reduction in the debt service-to-revenue ratio and the proposal for new tax regime.

The Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019 was a landmark in the history of prison services in Nigeria. It was a shift from the perception of the prison as a centre for retribution to a “correctional” facility with focus on reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration. We commend some cheering strides made by governments at various levels to promote agriculture. We equally appreciate the efforts of some security operatives, who put their lives on the line to fight the criminality and put an end to their savagery. We pray for healing for the wounded and eternal life for the dead. In spite of all these, our nation still has some serious challenges bordering on harsh socio-economic situation, persistent insecurity across the nation, rising youth unemployment and restiveness. There is high cost of essential goods, including food. Cases of kidnapping and the mindless killing of innocent people still abound.

4. THE WAY FORWARD

(i) Need for Unity and National Integration

We invite all to always pursue actions that make for unity and national integration. Again, we request our political, religious and traditional leaders to promote the spirit of national integration in the citizenry in order to instill hope and development. We demand that those governments that ordered the closure of all schools in some parts of the country, withdraw such order in the light of the rights of the children to education and the multi-religious nature of our society We, as Church, promote integral education, health care and agriculture for individual and national development, and we require the enabling environment to play these roles among others.

Despite disappointments in the conduct of 2023 General Elections, we still encourage all eligible citizens to come out en masse and participate in future elections. We call for a strengthening of electoral laws and sincere ex*****on of duties by state agents such as Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and the courts in order to restore trust in the electoral system. We urge our people to refuse to be cowed to silence and helplessness, but rather insist always on doing the right thing and having it done.

(ii) Some Insights for National Growth

For the provision of security of life and property in our nation, we urge that governments at all levels deploy high technology, like is already done in some states, to complement the efforts of security agencies for efficient intelligence gathering. There is also need for good remuneration for security personnel, better equipping of our security outfits and determination to prosecute crime without fear or favour. We still stop call on government at all levels to create an enabling environment for job opportunities in an ongoing manner. More investment is needed in agriculture to facilitate the involvement of the youth in it and boost provision of food in a sustainable manner. With improved security and safety for farmers, there will be greater production of food and reduction in the escalated cost of food all over Nigeria. We reaffirm the stand of the Catholic Church that capital punishment is unacceptable (CCC2267), we therefore make a passionate appeal to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu especially in the light of the Jubilee Year of Hope, to grant pardon to Mr Sunday Jackson whose conviction was recently upheld by the Supreme Court.

To improve on the State of our custodial centres, we enjoin the Federal and State Governments to undertake the following:
Uphold fundamental rights of inmates, treating them with dignity and adopting non -custodial measures in deserving cases.
Expedite the dispensation of justice.
Decongest the existing correctional centres by granting parole to well-behaved minor offenders.
Rehabilitate the existing facilities, and
Construct new correctional centres to ease overcrowding.
5. SPREADING A LIGHT FOR A NEW NIGERIA

The Jubilee Year as enshrined in the Book Leviticus 25 was a time of restoration, freedom and renewal. It was a time when debts were forgiven, captives were released, and the land was given rest. The Jubilee of Hope invites us to be agents of renewal, arising from restoration and freedom. We are called to be the light that dispels the darkness hovering over our land, which necessarily begins with each of us, from our homes to our Churches, from our workplaces to our government institutions. The desire for a New Nigeria must commit to truth, justice and love. We, therefore, call on all to be true to our worship of God, eschewing external religiosity and competition geared towards religious superiority or supremacy

While we put our hope in the Lord and continue to pray for a better nation, we must all play our prophetic role to create a new Nigeria by bringing about the necessary change and so rekindle hope once more in our nation. To bring our people back from the brink of despair, we must start with a clear call for a radical change of attitudes, and a veritable spiritual revolution. We have the spiritual resources to undertake this mission in the genuine values of Christianity and Islam the two major religions practised in our land.

Above all, to create a New Nigeria and rekindle hope among the populace, our nation needs political leaders of a high moral profile, who are able to administer public goods in line with the principles of honesty, transparency, and accountability (Ecclesia in Africa no, 111). As a purveyor of hope, the Media must resist obsession with reporting bad news at the expense of balanced reportage, which highlights what is happening in the society with equal passion. We enjoin the Government and security agencies to see the Media as partners in nation building.

6. EVENTS IN THE CHURCH

In union with the whole Church and the entire world, we pray for the Holy Father, Pope Francis, in this critical moment of ill health. We continue to pray for his speedy recovery. The Synod on Synodality, which dominated the attention of the Church from 2021 – 2024 was concluded with the approval of the Synod’s final document on 26 October, 2024 by Pope Francis. We are now at the implementation stage. Local Churches and groupings of Churches are invited to imbibe and implement in their context the authoritative indications contained in the Documents.

The Church in Nigeria as well as the Nigerian State is indeed happy to welcome the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, His Excellency, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty. He arrived the country on 23 October 2024. For him, we pray for a fruitful and pastorally ministry in our midst. Likewise, we congratulate Very Rev. Fr. Michael Leke Banjo, who assumed the Office of the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria on 1 January 2025. While wishing him a wonderful tenure, we thank the former Secretary General, Very Rev. Fr. Zechariah Samjumi, and wish him all the best of luck in his future endeavors.

We received with great sadness but with hope in the resurrection the news of the death of Most Rev Ayo- Maria Atoyebi, OP, Bishop Emeritus of Ilorin on 8 March, 2025. We convey our condolences to Ilorin Diocese, the Dominican Friars, and the Atoyebi family, with the assurances of prayers for his repose and the consolation of all who mourn him.

7. CONCLUSION: THE SEASON OF LENT AS A JOURNEY OF RENEWAL

As we begin the Lenten Season we pray with our Muslim Brethren who are observing the season Ramadan. The Season prepares us Christians to better embrace the virtue of hope. It invites us to repent of our sins and misdeeds against ourselves, the Church and our Country. It calls us to purge ourselves of our cynicism against the possibility of a better Nigeria. By this we are enabled to spread the light within the various segments of the society. May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven, spreading the joy and peace of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, throughout the earth. May it ignite in us a renewed faith, and may the light of Christ guide Nigeria to a future of peace, prosperity and righteousness. May our Blessed Mother, Mary ever Virgin, accompany us in this holy season, and may we emerge from this journey renewed, purified, and victorious. Amen.



+Lucius Iwejuru UGORJI +Donatus A. OGUN, OSA
Archbishop of Owerri Bishop of Uromi
President, CBCN Secretary, CBCN

11/03/2025

CHARLENE DE CARVALHO-HEINEKEN NOW THE WORLD'S RICHEST PERSON

Charlene de Carvalho, the largest shareholder in Heineken, saw an increase in her net worth to become the world's richest person. According to Forbes' estimations, her net worth rose to $11.04 trillion on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken overtook Elon Musk to become the world's richest person.
She became the first person in the world to have a net worth of $11 trillion and the first female billionaire to top the chart, although her wealth is linked to her family. As of July 2024, her net worth was estimated at just $14.1 billion.

Photo Credit: Forbes

01/02/2025

31/01/2025

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING NIGERIA PROUD IN THE UK

While many young men are walking the shortcut routes to make money via armed robbery, kidnapping, money rituals, and cyber crime otherwise known as Yahoo Yahoo in Nigeria and in the diaspora, there are two young Nigerians who still believe in the age-long dictum, 'there is dignity in labour'. They believe young men can still make money by working hard, using their God-given talents.

Sammy Sharp Cut is bringing out the beauty in people in the UK by giving them clean haircuts. He is happy doing it and making clean money from it. His friend, another young Nigerian is happy entertaining people via music and making good money from it.

They should be emulated and supported.

Watch out on this page for more information on Sammy Shart Cut and his friend.

ATTENTION!
Any young Nigerian who wants to show case his/her talent or already engaged in any genuine venture in Nigeria and in the diaspora who would want to be featured on this page is free to contact me via messenger.

19/12/2024

NEW MINIMUM WAGE AND ONLINE LOAN SCAMS: NEED FOR CAUTION BY PUBLIC SERVANTS

As the FG is taking steps to alleviate people's suffering by increasing their earnings and allocations to States and MDAs, and working to implement Local Government Autonomy; some Agencies are conniving with some Companies to keep Nigerian Workers in perpetual poverty.

The worst hit workers are the Military, Police and the Paramilitaries. If you check most of the Payslips circulating on Social Media, you will notice deductions from WASC Credit, WASC Direct, Remita etc.

These Online Companies give Loans to Staff that are captured by IPPIS at between 40% to 60% interest rates beside other administrative charges.

However, the problem is not only with the high percentage charges but the connivance with IPPIS to defraud the poor workers.

Most of these Loans are obtained Online and without clear terms and conditions. So, the poor workers, mostly of junior ranks fall victims of the scam.

How do they cheat?

1. You will fill a form with your IPPIS number and they disburse the money directly to your Salary Account.

2. The IPPIS will now deduct it directly from your salary even before it is paid to your Bank Account.

3. Their interest is charged on monthly basis.

4. The IPPIS will deduct from your account and send to them for one or two months, then stopped sending the further deductions.

5. The Loan Agencies will now start charging interest on the months you did not pay them. They will also charge on the interest you did not pay subsequently.

So, let's say for example you collected #100,000 to be paid in 12 months totaling #150,000 beside the disbursement fee and other administrative charges; the IPPIS will keep deducting your salary monthly and the Loan Company will keep increasing their interest on the Loan, claiming that you are defaulting on the agreement. This could raise the debt to #500,000, #600,000 and others even to #1,000,000.

And since is a fraud thing, the IPPIS after the 12 months deductions will not stop deducting from your account but will tell you that so so and so Company sent them the request to deduct your money because you are owing them. And the both parties defraud you continuously.

Funny enough, when you call to tell the Company that IPPIS has been deducting from your salary, they will tell you that they have not received anything from IPPIS (despite that the agreement for direct deductions was between them and IPPIS), yet they will charge you for default.

And their condition for stopping the deduction is for you to pay an agreed amount from the total liability.
But before then, they will tag you "not Credit worthy" so that no other Bank will give you loan in Nigeria. Slavery continues.

It also seems the NDIC focuses only on mainstream Banks and allows these online Banks to defraud Nigerian workers of their hard earned pay or is also a beneficiary of the Meal.

And since this fraud game affects mostly the junior workers, no one cares to checkmate it.

So please, avoid them at all cost because those Government Agencies to protect you are either part of the fraud or beneficiaries of its proceeds.

Kindly share to all colleagues to warn them of this fraud by IPPIS and co.

16/12/2024

When you are in a privileged position, don't despise the less privileged because no condition is permanent.
The tables could turn tomorrow.

13/12/2024

Thank God it's Friday!

12/12/2024

Things are getting better by the day.

11/12/2024

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

-Nelson Mandela:

04/12/2024

STATEMENT BY THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION ON THE ARREST OF DELE FAROTIMI AND ALLEGED INVASION OF HIS LAW FIRM

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is gravely concerned about the arrest of Dele Farotimi on allegations of libel, as well as the reported invasion of his law firm and the harassment of lawyers and staff within the premises. These actions constitute a troubling breach of the rule of law and the sanctity of the legal profession.

While the Nigerian Police Force has the authority to investigate crimes, this power must be exercised within the confines of the law and in respect of offenses recognized under Nigerian law.

We must reiterate that the alleged offense of libel, for which Dele Farotimi was reportedly arrested, is not recognized as a criminal offense under the laws of Lagos State. The Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 repealed the criminalization of defamation by omitting it from its provisions. This progressive legislative move aligns with global best practices, which treat defamation as a civil wrong rather than a criminal offense.

The Supreme Court in Aviomoh v. Commissioner of Police & Anor (2021) affirmed this position. Justice Helen Ogunwumiju, JSC, unequivocally held that defamation ceased to be a criminal offense in Lagos State following the enactment of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. This authoritative pronouncement leaves no room for doubt.

Furthermore, under Sections 4 and 24 of the Police Act, 2020, the Nigerian Police Force is mandated to act only about conduct that constitutes a criminal offense under Nigerian law. Arresting individuals for non-criminal matters, such as defamation in Lagos State, is not only unlawful but also a blatant violation of the principles of legality and the rule of law.

Of equal concern is the reported invasion of Dele Farotimi’s law firm and the harassment of lawyers and staff within the premises. Reports that phones were confiscated from lawyers and staff during this invasion highlight a severe disregard for the sanctity of legal practice and the constitutional rights of individuals. The legal profession is a cornerstone of justice and democracy, and any attempt to undermine its independence is a direct assault on the rule of law.

The NBA unequivocally condemns the invasion of Mr. Farotimi’s law firm, the harassment of its lawyers and staff, and the unlawful seizure of their phones. Such actions are not only a violation of the constitutional right to dignity and privacy but also an affront to the independence of the legal profession.

We, therefore demand the immediate release of Dele Farotimi, as his arrest lacks any basis under the laws of Lagos State. The authorities must swiftly launch an investigation into the invasion of his law firm, with the findings made public and those responsible held accountable.

We urge law enforcement agencies to prioritize the principles of legality, fairness, and respect for human rights in their operations. These principles are foundational to justice, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ freedoms.

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
President
Nigerian Bar Association

04/12/2024

THE BENEFITS OF HAVING TRUE FRIENDS

Having a true friend can bring numerous benefits to one's life. Here are some of the advantages of having a true friend:

1. Emotional Support: True friends provide emotional support, which is essential for our mental well-being. They listen, offer advice, and help us navigate life's challenges.

1. Increased Sense of Belonging: Having a true friend gives us a sense of belonging, which is vital for our emotional and mental health.

2. Improved Mental Health: True friends can help us manage stress, anxiety, and depression. They offer a supportive ear and encourage us to seek professional help when needed.

3. Better Physical Health: Studies have shown that people with close friendships tend to have lower blood pressure, healthier body mass indexes, and a stronger immune system.

4. Increased Confidence: True friends boost our confidence and self-esteem. They encourage us to pursue our passions and support us in our endeavors.

5. Improved Communication Skills: Friendships help us develop essential communication skills, such as active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution.

6. Networking Opportunities: True friends can expand our social circles and introduce us to new people, opportunities, and experiences.

7. Sense of Accountability: Friends hold us accountable for our actions, goals, and values. They encourage us to stay focused and motivated.

8. Unconditional Love and Acceptance: True friends love and accept us for who we are, without judgment or condition.

9. Fun and Enjoyment: Lastly, true friends bring joy and excitement to our lives. They share in our happiness, and we share in theirs.