The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Adamawa state has declared a three-day fasting and prayer session from Monday over what it termed rampant killing of Christians in the state.
The exercise was announced just as Governor Ahmadu Fintiri awarded scholarship for children of the slain CAN chairman in Michika local government area, Rev. Lawani Andimi.
Making the declaration for the three-day fasting and prayer, the Adamawa sate CAN chairman, Bishop Stephen Mamza, said the Christian community needs to fast and pray “in view of the glaring failure” of the federal government to protect lives of Christians in Adamawa and the rest of Nigeria.
Two prominent Christian leaders, as well as a journalist, were killed around Adamawa state within one week recently, the most recent being the beheading of Andimi on Tuesday.
Boko Haram had beheaded Andimi after rejecting a N50 million ransom offer because it fell far lower than their demand.
He was abducted on January 2 during an attack on the town.
Earlier, a pastor and politician, Rev Denis Magauri, was killed at his residence in Mayo Belwa while a broadcaster with Radio Nigeria’s Fombina FM, Mr Maxwell Nashion, had also been killed by unknown persons.
Mamza, the CAN state chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Yola, urged all Christians in the 21 local government areas of Adamawa state to participate fully in the prayer and fasting session.
Also making what is viewed as a significant move on Thursday, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri paid a condolence visit to the family of late Lawan Andimi in Michika and pledged support to the bereaved.
The governor said the state government will sponsor the education of the children and provide other necessary palliative measures to the family.
The governor was also at the headquarters of Andimi’s church, the Eklissiyar ‘Yan’uwa A Najeriya (EYN) in Kwarhi, Hong local government area, where he condemned the murder of the cleric, consoled all members of the EYN, and urged them to bear it with courage.
The governor said his administration is doing its best in ensuring the society is safe and has given security agencies in the state adequate support in that regard.
The national president of EYN, Reverend Joel Billi, thanked the governor for identifying with the church members during their moment of grief.
…………………………..
Extend registration deadline, UDUS students urge mgt
Students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), have are appealed to the school authorities to extend the three-week timeline for registration due to financial situation that makes many of them unable to meet the deadline.
UDUS’ Dean of Student Affairs (DSA), Professor Muhammad Aminu Mode, in a statement, had directed new and returning students to complete their registration, which started on January 6 and would expire soon. The sanction for running breaching the directive is deferment of a session, Mode further warned.
Speaking with our correspondent, Yusuf Abdulkadir, a 400-Level undergraduate of Biology Education, explained that the majority of the students are from far places, adding that it would be very difficult for an average student to get the money within that short period of time.
“The time limit given for the registration is not too bad. However, I am not really satisfied with the deadline for registration because most of the students especially those of us who come from another state to study don’t find it easy to get the money in order to pay on time.
“Just take the case of most of us in the Faculty of Education that are expected to spend almost six weeks but which was later increased to nine weeks for our Teaching Practice immediately after the session ends.
“And immediately after that exercise, the next thing is how to get money to pay our school fees before we resume, and we only have a week grace to travel home to raise money.’’
Another 200-Level Student of Chemistry Education Sani Ismail, equally pitched his tent with Abdulkadir.
“I am not satisfied with the deadline for registration because about 20 per cent of Danfodites (UDUS students) wouldn’t be able to pay their fees within the deadline set by management. This is not intentioned; it is as a result of financial problems facing this country.
A third year Geology undergraduate Abubakar Abdullahi, explained to CAMPUSLIFE, that he sponsors himself through school, therefore he may not have the opportunity to get the money within that short period of time.
“I am not satisfied with the date fixed by the management because of my source of income. I sponsor myself to school. I buy and sell product, and this circumstance might compel me sell my goods at a much cheaper price to raise the money which may not even be enough for my fees,” Abdullahi wailed.
Meanwhile, Shehu Muhammad, a 200-Level Student of Hausa Language, observed that the deadline for registration is not convenient as those who sponsor them also have other things such as hostel fees, transport fare and food stuffs, among others, to contend with.
