Blair: Quest for Religious Peace, Reconciliation, A Global Issue

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair 

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said the search for religious peace and reconciliation are global issues, which are not peculiar to Nigeria.

He spoke Saturday in Lagos during the dedication of the House on the Rock Cathedral performed by President Goodluck Jonathan who enjoined Nigerians to demonstrate abiding love for one another, and not hostility or violence.
In his keynote address, the former British prime minister recalled the difficulty encountered in transforming his own country, saying the task of national transformation anywhere in the world requires the undoubting efforts of committed leaders.

Blair’s wife, Cherie, accompanied him to the occasion. The former British prime minister wished the Jonathan administration well in its struggle to transform the lives of Nigerians, many of whom, he noted, are still poor.

Recalling his days in office, he said: "In getting things done, the hardest thing I found is having an idea and transforming that idea into reality," pointing out that "making it happen and getting it done was tough."

Blair, who founded the Faith Foundation, said investment in the people, their health, education and shelter would help greatly in moving the nation forward.

He expressed optimism in the ability of the country to overcome its current challenges of insecurity, saying the quest for religious peace and reconciliation are global issues that are not peculiar to Nigeria.

The former prime minister cited the example of Jerusalem and the Middle East where there is so much conflict, saying he would "love to see the day that Jerusalem will not only be a holy place but a centre of love for all."

President Jonathan noted that the country had passed through many rough times, especially during the military era, and that intercessory prayers of religious faithful had helped to deliver it.

He said the transformation agenda of his administration was no magic wand that will wipe away all the challenges confronting the country.

"The great task before us as a nation is to demonstrate unfailing love wherever we are and to show that underlying our faith and belief is peace and harmony, not hostility or violence," the president said.

He added: "The task of achieving our greatest potential as a nation lies in the collective effort of every individual and community, underpinned by love. If we all do our part, no matter how small, the Nigeria we crave will be a reality."

Jonathan described the cathedral as an achievement of science, technology and the presence of God in the lives of Nigerians.

Quoting severally from the Bible on the virtues of building the cathedral and its spiritual relevance, the president commended Reverend Paul Adefarasin, the Metropolitan Senior Pastor of All House on the Rock, for his vision.

Delivering his homily, Adefarasin, who described Blair as his mentor in the area of inter-faith, to which he admits he is committed, decried a situation where the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer.

He urged government to uphold equity and equality among citizens within the ambit of the rule of law, expressing the hope that Nigeria would be great.

The Rock Foundation, founded in 1994, is a faith-based charity whose ideals of promoting education, providing healthcare to indigent citizens and providing restitution to those in need, the building embodies and symbolise.

President Jonathan was presented with a sword by the church. The Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa Chapel, Rev. Obioma Onwuzurumba; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Opara, and his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, accompanied the president to the occasion.

Pres. Jonathan, Tony Blair at The Rock Cathedral opening ceremony

 
President Goodluck Jonathan and former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair were among the dignitaries present today at the inauguration and opening ceremony of House on the Rock's new church building, The Rock Cathedral. President Jonathan seen above cutting the tape, flanked by Tony Blair and Senior Pastor of All House on The Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin.

VOTE and SUPPORT AMB Queen Winfery Okolo (current Miss University Nigeria) to win MISS UNIVERSITY AFRICA CROWN

Another call to obey for all Nigerian. Our own Queen WINFREY OKOLO a 400 level student of University of Benin, is representing this great nation in another edition of MISS UNIVERSITY AFRICA PAGEANT with 50 contestant from other Africa nations.  This Nigeria damsel needs your vote

and support to win this pageant and bring this crown back to Nigeria. To vote for her, visit www.missuniversityafrica.org or miss university africa facebook page.

Police arrest AÍbom House member over alleged murder

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly member, representing Ikono State Constituency, Mr. Victor Udofia, over an alleged murder of one Mr. Nsikak Etefia.

Etefia was murdered on August 15, 2012 at Ibiaku Atta, Ikono Local Government Area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Etim Dickson, who said this during a news briefing in Uyo on Friday, explained that Udofia was invited for questioning by the police following vehement requests by media practitioners.

He said, “In reaction to several calls from media practitioners across the state on the above issue, I hereby confirm the invitation to state CID Homicide Section of Hon. Victor Udofia, member AKHA representing Ikono State Constituency on his alleged involvement in the murder of one Nsikak Edet Etefia in Ibiaku Atta on 15/08/2012.”

Dickson, who said investigation has been ongoing since 2012, revealed that if Udofia is found guilty he would be made to face the wrath of the law.

It was learnt that a disagreement had ensued between the House member and Etefia, who queried Udofia on his choice of awarding a Niger Delta Development Commission contract meant for the constituency to non-indigenes.

Etefia was said to have obstructed the contractors from entering the site on which the contractors were to work, saying that those who stood for the House member during the election, were the people to benefit from such contracts and not non-indigenes.

An indigene from Ikono, Uffot Edet, told our correspondent that the House member was not pleased with the development. He noted that Udofia misconstrued Etefia’s action to be deviant.

“Udofia seized the gun from his police orderly and shot Etefia to death. We learnt the House member asked his orderly to pretend as if he was  the one who killed Etefia,” he said.

Okorocha escapes death in auto crash

Like a cat with nine lives, Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, cheated death on Friday when his convoy was involved in an accident on the ever-busy Orlu-Owerri Road.

The official vehicle in which the governor was traveling unexpectedly had a head-on collision with a Mercedes Benz car whose driver rammed into Okorocha’s convoy after losing control of his car.
Okorocha, who was on a project tour before the accident occurred, reportedly sustained minor injuries in the mishap and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital where he was promptly treated by team of medical experts who were hurriedly assembled and discharged.
Imo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Chinedu Offor, who confirmed the news to newsmen, however described the governor’s condition as stable.
Yes “the governor’s official car had a head-on collision with a driver but he escaped with minor injuries and his condition is
stable now,” Offor stated, stressing that no other person in the convoy sustained injury.

Another statement signed by Okorocha’s media aide, Ebere Ozoukwa, stated that “the governor sustained a minor injury which is a minor cut on his head but he is presently in a good and stable condition and has been attended to by medical personnel.”

SOKOTO DEPUTY GOVERNOR' SON DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENT

LUKMAN SHAGARI one of the sons of sokoto state deputy governor, Alhaji Mukhar Shagari met his untimely death on thursday April 19,2013. Lukman died in a fatal car accident while traveling from Abuja to sokoto. Source revealed that Lukman lost control of the car he was driving. The car somersaulted several times before catching fire. The impact of the fire eventually killed two of the 3 occupant of the car.
We learnt Lukman who is based in London, UK visited his family in Abuja before heading to Sokoto to see his father. Only one person survived. Lukman is survived by his wife and a newborn baby. MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE

2face donates traditional wedding cap and shoes to charity

2face has donated the cap and shoes he wore for his traditional wedding to Charity. 
This unprecedented and unexpected act was done to help raise money for the Lagos State Motherless Babies Home through the Kaymu Celebrity Charity Auctions.

The Kaymu Celebrity Charity Auctions is a commendable initiative from Nigeria’s leading eCommerce community for buying and selling online, Kaymu.com.ng. 

The initiative launched last month with donations coming from DJ Caise, DJ Obi, DRB, Lynnx, and Eku Edewor-Thorley.

According to the MD of Kaymu Lukas Zels, the items were donated immediately 2Face returned from Dubai where he had his white wedding. The coffee color branded cap and shoe with the inscription “2Baba” is now being auctioned on Kaymu and can be won by any of 2Face’s fans through bidding. 2Baba who is known for his generosity and kindness has once again demonstrated it through this special donation.

He’s counting on his fans and well meaning Nigerians to help him raise money for the less privileged kids through their bidding. Help a child in need, start bidding to make a difference today