‘Churches Were Defiled, Turned To Grounds For Politicking, Atrocities During Elections,’ Father Mbaka Apologises On Behalf Of Nigerian Pastors
The spiritual Director of the Adoration Chaplaincy, Enugu, Fr Ejike Mbaka, has prayed for God's forgiveness for church leaders over the positions they took during the 2023 presidential elections.
SaharaReporters had reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, the winner of the election.
The Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party alongside their candidates in the election have filed suits to challenge the outcome of the election.
Speaking on Wednesday at his Adoration Ground, the outspoken Catholic priest told the congregation that the positions the church leaders took messed up the altar of God.
In a video of the event seen by SaharaReporters on Friday, Mbaka said, “God, forgive us, forgive the Church, we have gotten it wrong this time.
“I apologise on behalf of the whole men of God, the whole pastors, the whole priests and the whole bishops. I’m not worthy to apologise for Bishops, but I’m apologising.
“Let the mercy of God descend because what we did within the political moment….a lot of indescribable political brouhaha and political jingoisms and atrocities (were committed).
“We manifested and buried the power of sacrament beneath political forces, political hocks and vultures; they want to vulturise the Church.
“We turned the churches into campaign centres, turned the churches into places of politicking.
“We messed up the altar, we defiled the Altar. How do we want power to move from altar that has been defiled? We cannot continue with such iniquities.
“I pray that God will forgive us forgive us Oh Lord, forgive Your Church, forgive Christianity in Nigeria.”
Mbaka, who spoke in both English and Igbo, said: “We have gotten it wrong this time. Amen.
“Just let it be like this. If you want to misunderstand me, that is your business.”
Some officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) were killed in an attack in Imo State a few days ago. Reports later claimed that they were guarding an MTN mast and that some MTN officials were killed in the attack. The company has now stated that none of its officials was hurt during the attack.
[PRESS RELEASE] MTN Expresses Deep Sympathy over the Recent Killings in Imo State
MTN Nigeria is deeply saddened by the recent killings of two personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and two other individuals in Imo State. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and we express our sincere condolences to them.
Whilst we empathise with the grieving families and the NSCDC affected by this tragic incident, we wish to correct the reports that two MTN officials were also killed in the incident. We can confirm that no MTN officials were hurt during the incident.
MTN Nigeria remains committed to the safety and security of our staff in all our operations across the country. We place the utmost importance on the safety and security of our staff, customers, and the communities in which we operate, and will continue to work with relevant authorities in this regard.
MTN reacts to reported killing of its employees in Imo
Two civilians said to be MTN workers were reportedly shot dead by gunmen alongside two civil defence officers in Imo State.
By Chinagorom Ugwu March 30, 2023
Telecommunication company, MTN Nigeria, has debunked a report that two of its officials were among those killed by gunmen in a recent attack in the state.
PREMIUM TIMES reported how the gunmen, on Monday, killed two personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) after ambushing them at Ekelsu Market, Obiangwu, a community in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of the state.
An official of the NSCDC in the state said two other civilians said to be officials of the MTN Nigeria were also killed by the hoodlums during the attack.
But reacting in a statement on Tuesday which was made available to PREMIUM TIMES, the telecommunication company said none of its officials was killed in the state.
“Whilst we empathise with the grieving families and the NSCDC affected by this tragic incident, we wish to correct the reports that two MTN officials were also killed in the incident. We can confirm that no MTN officials were hurt during the incident,” the statement read in part.
The company said it was “deeply saddened” by the killing of the NSCDC personnel and two others killed in the attack, but that they were not its employees.
“MTN Nigeria remains committed to the safety and security of our staff in all our operations across the country.
“We place the utmost importance on the safety and security of our staff, customers, and the communities in which we operate, and will continue to work with relevant authorities in this regard,” it added.
Worsening insecurity
Like other states in Nigeria’s south-east, security has deteriorated in Imo State with frequent attacks by armed persons.
The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.
The Nigerian government has accused the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.
IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has arraigned a lecturer of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) for demanding sexual and monetary gratification from a female student of the institution.
The defendant, Dr. Balogun Olaniran was brought before Hon. Justice Osinuga of the Ijebu-Ode High Court, sitting in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State by ICPC on a one-count charge for violating Section 8(1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
ICPC Counsel told the court how the defendant, Dr. Olaniran, while being the Head of Department of Religious Studies at TASUED sometime between October and November 2021, demanded for sexual benefit or the payment of N100,000 from a female student with a promise to alter her academic grades.
Part of the charge reads, “…..within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, corruptly demanded for sexual benefit or payment of the sum of N100,000 for himself from … (name withheld), a female student, on account of a favour to be afterwards shown her in the discharge of his official duties as a lecturer and Head of Department of Religious Studies at the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, to wit, offering to alter her academic grades from fail to pass in courses with codes EDU 311 and EDU 312”.
The defendant, Dr. Olaniran pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.
The trial judge, Justice Osinuga admitted the defendant to bail of N500,000 with a surety in like sum. The surety must provide evidence of 3 years tax clearance and evidence of means.
The matter was then adjourned to 11th of May 2023 for commencement of trial.
Barcelona will play Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final.
In January this year, Asisat Oshoala annoyed Chelsea fans with the first tweet below.
Yesterday night she annoyed them again by suggesting that Berger was not on the line during the penalty shootout and referring to Chiamaka Nnadozie's situation at the 2019 World Cup. She has since deleted the tweet.
Barcelona will play Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final.
In January this year, Asisat Oshoala annoyed Chelsea fans with the first tweet below.
Yesterday night she annoyed them again by suggesting that Berger was not on the line during the penalty shootout and referring to Chiamaka Nnadozie's situation at the 2019 World Cup. She has since deleted the tweet.
Christianity Etc › Politics In Churches: Father Mbaka Apologises On Behalf Of Nigerian Pastors by naptu2(op): 3:19pm On Mar 31, 2023
