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Shonekan was a symbol of national unity, says Lawan  

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Ernest Shonekan

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has described the former Head of the Interim National Government of Nigeria, Chief Ernest Shonekan, as a symbol of national unity.

Lawan stated this on Tuesday in his concluding remarks after the Senate considered a motion on Shonekan’s demise.

He said, “Today, we are celebrating this great man because he served our country, and it is that service to our people that will make us feel happy and pleased with ourselves, and also make us part of leaders that would have served their country meritoriously.

“The contribution of most of us centred on when he came into office, when he was made the head of the interim national government; that says a lot, because at that time the military was looking for someone who’ll be acceptable to the civilians and citizens across the country, since things became difficult for the military.

“Therefore, the military authority at that time, to fish out a gentleman who had shown no signs of going into politics to contest for any leadership position, showed that was a person that could be a unifier and peace-bringer that could midwife the democracy for the next dispensation.
 
“He did what he was expected to do until he was removed. But the pint remains that he was a symbol of national unity.

“Surely at this time, we need people like him with the experience of both public and private lives to make us mat  Chh forward as we are determined to do to make Nigeria better for all citizens.”

The Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, who sponsored the motion, noted “with grief the passage of Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan, Former Head of the Interim National Government of Nigeria, on Tuesday, 11h January, 2022 at the age of 85 years;

“Further Notes that Chief Ernest Shonekan, an indigene of Ogun State, was a British trained Lawyer, a
consummate administrator, a renowned industrialist, a seasoned businessman and politician, who served as the Head of the Interim National Government of Nigeria from August, 26th, 1993 to November, 17th, 1993;

“Aware that Chief Ernest Shonekan was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 9th May, 1936. His father was an Abeokuta-born civil servant and he was one of the six children born into the family;

“Further aware that Chief Shonekan attended C.M.S Grammar School and Igbobi College, both in Lagos State. He also attended the University of London, where he bagged a Law Degree, after which he was called to Bar;

“Observes that after being called to Bar, Chief Ernest Shonekan worked at the United African Company of Nigeria (UAC) and rose through the ranks to become the Chairman and Managing Director of the company;

“Recalls that on August 26h, 1993, Chief Shonekan was appointed as the Head of Interim National Government of Nigeria by General Ibrahim Babangida following his stepping aside from office occasioned by the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election;

“Further Recalls that three months into his Administration, Chief Shonekan was overthrown in a Palace coup by General Sani Abacha on November 17th, 1993;

“Aware that though Chief Shonekan served briefly, his contributions to national development, unity, cohesion and stability are worthy of note in the annals of our nation;

“Notes that in 1994, he founded the Nigerian Economic Summit Group – an advocacy group and think-tank for private sector-led development of the Nigerian economy;

“Further Notes that Chief Shonekan thereafter featured prominently as a cherished Leader and a respected Elder Statesman who epitomized service to humanity and the nation;

“Convinced that Chief Ernest Shonekan was a selfless Nigerian who dedicated his life to the growth and stability of Nigeria as evidenced in his public and private life; and

“Observes that Chief Shonekan was until his passage, married to Chief Mrs. Margaret Shonekan, and they had four children.”

Accordingly, the Senate in its resolutions urged the Federal Government to immortalize the deceased.

It also resolved to send a delegation to condole with the Shonekan family, the Government and people of Ogun state.

The chamber thereafter held a one minute silence in honor of the late Chief Shonekan.

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Clergy Urged To Put Members’ Welfare Above All Else

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At a solemn ordination service in Abuja, senior church leaders have called on pastors to make the well-being of their congregations a top priority, following the example of Jesus Christ.

Speaking during the priesthood ordination and installation of a Sub Dean at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp, Abuja, the retired Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Okene, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Ajulo, described pastors as shepherds charged with the care of their flock. He urged them to shun worldly distractions and focus on meeting the spiritual and material needs of their members.

Bishop Ajulo also encouraged the newly ordained priests to remain faithful to their calling by teaching God’s word without compromise.

In his charge, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, urged the new clergy to preach the undiluted gospel and foster religious harmony wherever they serve. He expressed confidence that their new roles would help promote peace and unity in society.

The service also featured prayers for national leaders and divine intervention in addressing the current global economic challenges.

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1,000 Prayer Warriors Storm Ilorin for Tinubu, Nation’s Deliverance

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

In a dramatic show of faith and patriotism, over 1,000 fiery prayer warriors from across Nigeria will descend on Ilorin, Kwara State, this Saturday, lifting their voices in intense intercession for President Bola Tinubu’s success and Nigeria’s survival in the face of biting economic woes and mounting insecurity.

The spiritual siege, themed “Walking in Domini”, is the maiden convention of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), with its Kwara State Chairman, Evangelist Thomas Adeboye, vowing that “heaven will hear and respond to Nigeria’s cry.”

Aside from marathon prayers, the gathering will roll out free medical outreach to locals across Kwara’s LGAs, a gesture aimed at touching both body and soul.

Adeboye, lamenting Nigeria’s “troubling economic and security realities”, called for a nationwide prayer uprising, insisting that Tinubu has shown the will to revive the nation but needs massive divine backing to succeed.

“Banditry, a collapsing economy, and political tension demand we seek God’s face like never before,” he declared. “We will storm heaven for wisdom for the President and governors to steer Nigeria to safety.”

The convention will also feature awards to distinguished personalities, soul-lifting worship, fiery sermons, and unity-driven lectures—all capped with thunderous prayers for Nigeria’s redemption.

Adeboye urged the President to ensure every policy has “a human face,” stressing that Nigerians must not only endure but also enjoy the fruits of governance.

With the OAIC promising to reaffirm believers’ authority in Christ and rally spiritual boldness in the face of national challenges, Ilorin is set to become the epicentre of a powerful spiritual warfare for Nigeria’s destiny.

 

 

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Nigerian Anglicans Condemn Lesbian Archbishop of Wales, Deepening Global Anglican Rift

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…Church leaders accuse Welsh counterparts of “spiritual decadence” and “abandonment of faith”

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued a forceful condemnation of the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the Archbishop of Wales. The move is the latest in a series of developments that have deepened divisions within the global Anglican Communion over sexuality and doctrine.

In a statement from Primate The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the church denounced the election as a “serious departure from biblical teaching” and a sign of “spiritual decadence” and “an outright abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints.”

Archbishop Ndukuba warned that Bishop Vann’s elevation compromises the Anglican Church’s global mission and could obstruct evangelism. He compared the situation to the controversial tenure of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, who also faced intense criticism from conservative Anglicans for her progressive views.

The Primate accused Bishop Vann of being complicit in the “ongoing crisis” around same-sex issues, stating that the election is a “clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ cannot endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).

The Church of Nigeria called on Anglicans worldwide to reject “rebels” and “apostates” and to instead support conservative bodies like the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).

“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemns, unequivocally rejects, and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba declared. He concluded with a solemn warning that without repentance, the Church in Wales risks losing “complete relevance” and its leaders will face judgment.

 

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