Faith

Nigeria bleeding, divided along ethnic, religious lines, Group laments

Published

1 year ago

August 4, 2022

Advocate News Nigeria

The Christian Recovery Alliance of Nigeria (CRAN) on Wednesday expressed concern that Nigeria was bleeding and deeply divided along ethnic and religious lines.

The group stated this in a communique issued at the end of its strategic discourse for Christians in Strategic Political Leadership for Recovery of Nigeria (CSPL) held at Makurdi, Benue State.

The communique which was jointly signed by Qrisstuberg Amua, Gideon Doo Inyom and Brahms Ikyuan, took note of the integrity of Christians in political leadership, especially to the extent of justice, equity, probity and accountability to the nation.

CRAN while also noting that the country had never been divided as it is presently, observed that, “Nigeria is today a failed state.”

It thus advised Christian leaders and adherents of the faith to understand the true nature of the threatening political landscape, especially with the current electioneering cycle and be emboldened as leaders of the faith to embrace participation in politics and political leadership.

It further noted that Christians in Nigeria have been slow at reading the landscape to grasp the larger picture; adding that most were yet to appreciate the fact that the same faith ticket by the All Progress Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 election was a statement by Nigerian Muslims which, “must have an immediate and firm response and the 2023 elections represent the right time for that response.”

“The country must avoid the Lebanon Trap and the key to success on this is in how well Christians will organise. That the consequences for missing on this opportunity for we Christians and our children are too high; thus Christians must think globally and act locally, never forgetting that everything is about statecraft, stealth, blood, money, organisation and power.”

It stressed the need for Christian lawyers to guild up to sacrificially challenge the variance in Nigeria’s constitution with respect to Sharia and the non-sharia legal system.

The communique harped on the need for Christians to shed uncooperative, non-sacrificial attitudes towards goals and the culture of denominational differences that is reflected in the disunity amongst adherents of our faith.

Faith

‘I am sound, spirit, soul and body’ – Popular Gospel Singer Buchi denies death rumour

Published

2 weeks ago

September 13, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

Popular Gospel Singer, Buchi Atuonwu aka Buchi

A popular Gospel Singer, Buchi Atuonwu, popularly known as Buchi, has urged the public to disregard rumour making the rounds in the social media that he was dead.

Buchi, the global acclaimed gospel singer, refuted the rumour in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday.

According to him, there is no truth in this as I am sound, spirit, soul and body.

“It is unfortunate that desperation has driven many to all manner of mischief.  Thank you all for your care and concern,” Buchi said.

NAN reports that the purported death of the award winning gospel minister went viral on Wednesday on the social media.

Buchi is a renowned Nigerian song-writer, author, poet spoken word and reggae gospel artist loved by millions around the world. (NAN)

Meanwhile, besides the news of Buchi Atuonwu refuting the rumour that he was dead, it has emerged that some celebrities who attended the burial ceremony of popular musician, Mohabad in Lagos on Wednesday were harassed by those reported to be area boys.

The incident left a sour taste for Cute Abiola and music promoters, Kogbadi and OGB Recent who according to reports were made to abandon their vehicles to flee the venue.

Faith

Mosque renamed to ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus’ in Dubai

Published

1 month ago

August 21, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

• Mary, Mother of Jesus Mosque

The Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Mosque in Al Mushrif, a district in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has been renamed to ‘Mariam, Umm Eisa’ which translates from Arabic to English as ‘Mary Mother of Jesus’.

The renaming of the mosque was ordered by Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi crown prince, “to consolidate bonds of humanity between followers of different religions,” Gulf News reports.Reacting to the development, a senior chaplain at St Andrew’s Church, Andrew Thompson, was quoted as saying, “We are delighted that we are celebrating something that we have in common between both our faiths.

“Mary, as the mother of Jesus, is of course a holy, special figure in our communities. She is a woman who symbolises obedience to God.

“We look forward to growing in deeper understanding with our neighbours, and we celebrate with them the new name of the mosque,” Thompson said.

Jeramie Rinne, senior pastor of the Evangelical Community Church in Abu Dhabi, also hailed the news.

“Mohammad has made another generous gesture of religious tolerance in renaming the mosque.

“The UAE continues to set the pace in this region for peaceful coexistence and cooperation. We are very encouraged and feel blessed to be a part of this nation,” he said.A church in Al Ain was said to have recently opened its doors for Maghrib prayers.

Church workers reportedly laid down carpets on the wooden floor for over 200 Asian Muslim workers to say their prayers.