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Catholic Bishops Express Concern Over Insecurity, Rising Food Prices, Multiple Taxation Under Tinubu Gov’t

Published

3 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

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The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has expressed deep concern over the severe economic hardship faced by Nigerians, attributing it to a combination of high electricity tariffs, high cost of petroleum products, transportation, and inadequate infrastructure.

In a statement issued after the CBCN’s Second Plenary Meeting, the conference highlighted the increasing burden on both individuals and businesses due to these economic strains.

The communiqué, signed by CBCN President Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji and delivered by Bishop Donatus A. Ogun of Uromi, emphasized the growing public frustration stemming from these issues.

The bishops noted that the current economic environment is further exacerbated by food insecurity and malnutrition, which have become more prevalent due to the rising cost of basic food items.

Rev. Ugorji stated that experts attribute the crisis to persistent insecurity caused by terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements disrupting agricultural activities and livelihoods across the nation.

The communiqué also addresses the impact of multiple taxation on businesses. It points out that businesses are struggling under the weight of various taxes imposed by federal, state, and local government agencies.

“This situation is aggravated by frequent hikes in bank interest rates and ongoing issues with power supply, inflation, and the devaluation of the Naira. These factors contribute to Nigeria’s poor ranking in global ease of doing business indices and create a discouraging environment for both local and foreign investments,” he said.

The CBCN noted that while taxes are essential for government revenue and the provision of public services, the current tax regime has become overly burdensome.

The bishops call on President Bola Tinubu’s government for a more streamlined and fair approach to taxation that supports rather than stifles economic activity.

He said, “We appeal to governments at all levels to take urgent measures to harmonize taxes and address multiple taxation to stem the tide of businesses collapsing in Nigeria, which leads to increased unemployment.

“This will also encourage investors who are already facing high production costs, low sales, insignificant profit margins, and the depletion of business capital.”

Regarding hardship and food insecurity, he said, “We recognize the efforts of governments to address this problem, such as the declaration of a state of emergency on food insecurity, the importation of food, cash transfer schemes, and the distribution of palliatives to the most vulnerable.”

However, he said it is disheartening to observe that, despite these measures, the prices of food items have continued to surge.

He said, “We demand that governments implement policies, programs, and initiatives that address the multifaceted factors adversely affecting food security, with a solid action plan for implementation, such as providing safety and security for farmers and their crops across the country.

“We urge governments to support farmers with subsidies, soft loans, modern technology, and improved seedlings, but not genetically modified seedlings. This also involves supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are struggling to add value to raw local food products through processing, preservation, and packaging technology.

“We encourage families and individuals to engage in farming and call on the government to ensure the security of farmers and their crops, offer incentives to private-sector agribusinesses, and take urgent and decisive steps to achieve food self-sufficiency in our nation.”

Ugorji said there is a need for repentance and concerted efforts.

He said, “We must accept, however, that this situation is largely self-inflicted, especially through corruption in all its forms, from the highest levels of government to the entire body of the nation.

“Therefore, we all need to accept responsibility for what has befallen us: from the highest levels of government to all the citizenry, with special responsibility falling on those in government to manage the affairs of our nation; and from all successive governments, past and present, but especially the present government, which has sought our votes to address these issues.”

He added that there is a need for national re-orientation away from lies and dishonesty towards truth and integrity.

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Govt cites security threats, bans Telegram for officials

Published

1 hour ago

September 20, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

Ukraine on Friday restricted the use of Telegram for its government, military and security officials, citing “threats” to national security on the app founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov.

“The National Security and Defence Council decided to restrict the use of Telegram in government agencies, military formations and critical infrastructure facilities,” the council said in a statement on Facebook, saying it was a “matter of national security.”

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Ooni unveiles launch of Olojo Festival, reveals ancestral significance

Published

1 hour ago

September 20, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday, announced the commencement of the 2024 Olojo Festival, revealing the event’s ancestral and spiritual significance.

Ogunwusi spoke at his palace during a news conference on the 2024 Olojo Festival with the theme “Evolving Transformationaly Domestic Tourism With Community Festivals.”

According to him, the festival is significant because of the spiritual exercises that characterise it and the testimonies it attracts.

He said the celebration of the revered cultural event was held annually in the ancient city to celebrate the day of the first dawn.

The Ooni said the festival was in remembrance of “Ogun,” god of iron, who is believed to be the first son of Oduduwa, progenitor of the Yoruba people.

He added that the festival marked the birth of the “Aare Crown”.

Ooni said that several prayers rendered to Olodumare through the iconic “Aare crown” during the Olojo festival had been answered with so many testimonies.

He stated, “Olojo is the festival of dawn and the birth of the crown, “Ade Aare”, the crown of all crowns. The crown that gave birth to all crowns all over the world with all the colours of the rainbow. It is called the spectrum of rainbow crowns.

“The crown does everything humans do, it is a very spiritual crown, very sacred. I am a living example and witness. I have actually charged the crown, I have prayed with it, that I want this done, this particular time.

“This is my ninth year on the throne, going to my tenth year by the grace of God, I have seen a lot of testimonies.

“I will pray with the crown worn on my head, I pray to the almighty God, Olodumare through the crown. I have never seen any failure in it. It is our strong heritage, our strong culture and tradition and we will continue to uphold it forever.

He added that they were not idol worshipers, but rather custodians of their ancestors’ legacy, which continued to benefit them.

“These are things we should not joke about, It is our heritage, we should not compromise it with anything. It is created by nature, by God Almighty who is the supreme being,” he said.

Explaining the nature of the “Ade Aare”, Ooni described the crown as a sacred, mysterious being which bears the nature of humans.

According to him, the crown functions like humans.

He said, “Olojo is the time when the crown comes out for blessings. This is a crown that has life in it till date, right from time immemorial.

“The crown changes the weather, it does not see the atmosphere except once in a year, during Olojo festival.

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“In the crown, we see everything complete, we see the day, night, four corners of the world, the northern, southern, eastern and western poles.

“The birth of the crown is actually the first dawn pathfinded by Ogun, which is linked to our celebration.”

The Ooni added, “Olojo is the main new year celebration and this dovetails to everybody’s new yam festival all over because what is used to bring out yams are cutlasses and hoes made with iron.

“This is the time we get beautiful harvests, the time we get wallnuts, bitter kola. For us in Ile-Ife, we still uphold our heritage and that is why we celebrate the first dawn.”

Ogunwusi appreciated the sponsors for the festival.

“I want to appreciate you all, our sponsors, for everything you have been doing. For always responding to my calls. May God bless you and may our ancestors guide you all. I appreciate the state government as well,” he added.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Osun, Abiodun Bankole-Ojo, appealed to sponsors of the Olojo festival to look into the possibility of developing some tourism sites within the state, like the Oranmiyan Groove.

“Please corporate bodies, stop giving us monetary and material gifts, come and develop the Oranmiyan site as a tourist site. Government will not be able to do it all,” he said.

The Olojo Festival Chief Consultant, Ayo Olumoko, urged Nigerians and international tourists to grace the festival.

NAN reports that the Grand Finale for the 2024 edition of the annual Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, will be held between September 26 and September 30.

On September 26, there will be Ayo Olopon Traditional Game, Festival Cultural Talent Hunt (Audition) and Olojo Festival Colloquium.

On September 27, there will be Ojo Ilagun, Iwode Ile-Ife (Community cleansing) and Oonirisa’s terrestrial message to the world.

September 28 is the festival’s grand finale official ceremony, Ojo Okemogun, and the Aare cultural procession.

September 29 is Ojo Ajoyo (Asekagba), Grand Royal Reception – Invitational, Adire Oodua Cultural Exchange Exhibition and Oonirisa’s Ife Award for Community Service, 2024.

September 30 would be for the Ojo Ibile (Oonirisa’s ancestral traditional propitiation) and cultural talents hunt.

News

Trump Says Israel Will Go Extinct Within Two Years If He Loses US Election

Published

1 hour ago

September 20, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

Trump expressed concern about his polling numbers among Jewish voters, lamenting his current standing compared to Harris, the Democratic candidate.

President Donald Trump suggested that Jewish-American voters could bear some responsibility if he loses the upcoming presidential election to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump expressed concern about his polling numbers among Jewish voters, lamenting his current standing compared to Harris, the Democratic candidate.

Reuters reports that Trump claimed that Israel could face extinction within two years if Kamala Harris wins the election, suggesting that Jewish voters who support Democrats would share some responsibility for that outcome.

Speaking to a crowd, Trump stated, “If I don’t win this election, the Jewish community will play a significant role in that. If 40% or even 60% of people are voting for the enemy, Israel, in my opinion, will cease to exist within two years.”

He referenced a poll indicating that Harris had 60% support among American Jews.

Although he didn’t specify which poll he was citing, a recent Pew Research survey showed American Jews favouring Harris over Trump by 65% to 34%.

Trump also expressed disappointment over winning less than 30% of the Jewish vote in both the 2016 and 2020 elections.

Trump reiterated similar sentiments earlier at a summit in Washington aimed at combating antisemitism in the U.S.

The Trump campaign has prioritised appealing to Jewish voters in critical battleground states, where even a small shift in support could influence the election outcome.

In Pennsylvania, for instance, there are over 400,000 Jewish residents, and Biden won the state by just 81,000 votes in 2020.

In response to Trump’s comments, Morgan Finkelstein, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, criticised him for his past associations with individuals accused of antisemitism.

Trump has consistently denied allegations of antisemitism, noting his Jewish son-in-law during his speeches on Thursday.