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US removes Nigeria from religious violators’ list

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The United States has removed Nigeria from its list of religious violators, even as it blacklisted Russia, China and eight other countries “as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated ‘systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made this known in a statement on Wednesday titled, ‘Religious Freedom Designations’.

While the US had in 2020 placed Nigeria and six other countries on its special watch list of states that had engaged in or tolerated the severe violation of religious freedom, Nigeria was missing from the list of countries designated in the 2021 list for religious violations.

Blinken, who is currently in East African nation Kenya on an official visit, is scheduled to physically visit Nigeria this week and meet with the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and other members of his cabinet.

The US Secretary of State, in his statement today, said, “The United States will not waiver in its commitment to advocate for freedom of religion or belief for all and in every country. In far too many places around the world, we continue to see governments harass, arrest, threaten, jail, and kill individuals simply for seeking to live their lives in accordance with their beliefs. This Administration is committed to supporting every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief, including by confronting and combating violators and abusers of this human right.

“Each year the Secretary of State has the responsibility to identify governments and non-state actors, who, because of their religious freedom violations, merit designation under the International Religious Freedom Act.

“I am designating Burma, the People’s Republic of China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

Religion

Drama as pastor Paul Enenche confronts lady for sharing fake testimony (Video)

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Paul Enenche, the senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), on Sunday, called out a woman for sharing what he claimed to be a “false testimony”.

A short video from the DIGC’s service went viral on social media wherein he confronted the woman during her testimony.

The lady had taken to the altar to testify how she became the first graduate in her family. She also thanked God for making it possible for her to graduate with a “Law degree from the National Open University Of Nigeria (NOUN)”.

She recounted how some spiritual forces prevented her and her siblings from attending universities and how she overcame them.

Enenche, however, asked the lady what degree she graduated with and she said “Law”. The clergyman thereafter inquired to know what kind of “Law degree”, to which the lady answered “BSc in Law”.

The cleric immediately pointed out that there is no such thing as a “BSc in law” — casting doubt on her testimony.

“Your testimony is a lie. There is nothing like a BSc in Law. Please go back to your seat. Bsc in Law. Is that how lawyers speak English?” the cleric asked rhetorically.

“Please, anybody who comes to this altar to share a testimony that is not true, you do it at the risk of yourself.

“We are not playing here. We are not faking anything here.”

The video has been widely circulated on social media platforms, with users airing their different opinions.

NOUN held its 13th convocation on Saturday. The convocation ceremony saw 22,175 students graduate across NOUN’s 120 study centres in Nigeria.

Of the graduates, 15,768 received their undergraduate degrees, while 6,407 were awarded postgraduate certificates.

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FG approves Thursday as additional public holiday for Eid-el-Fitr

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The federal government has approved Thursday April 11 as an additional public holiday for this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

Aishetu Ndayako, permanent secretary in the ministry of interior, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

On April 7, the federal government had declared Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays for the Muslim celebration.

Shortly afterwards however, Muhammad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, declared Wednesday as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH, adding that there was no sighting of the new moon on Monday.

In the new statement, Ndayako quoted Tunji Ojo, minister of interior, as congratulating the “Muslim Ummah for a successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation”, while “reiterating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s (GCFR) firm commitment to providing a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all to thrive”.

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Religion

FG declares Tuesday, Wednesday as public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr celebration

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The federal government has declared Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, announced the public holidays in a congratulatory message to the Islamic faithful in the country.

Eid-el-Fitr festival is celebrated by Muslims worldwide after observing Ramadan fasting for 29 or 30 days.

The minister congratulated all Muslims in the country for the successful completion of the fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.

He called on faithful to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, good neighbourliness, and compassion as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

“The Minister wishes all Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration and prays that the peace, blessings and favour of Allah be with everyone and our Great Nation,” the statement reads.

Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to continue in the spirit of unity to improve and achieve peace and oneness in the country.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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