Day: April 22, 2023

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan, and prayed to Allah (God) to continue ‘to shower His grace, mercies and peace on our nation’. ‘May the Almighty Allah accept our worship, bless us all and our homeland Ghana, and make her great and strong,’ he said. President Nana Akufo-Addo, in a solidarity message on his Facebook page, on Saturday, April 22, to mark the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, lauded Muslims ‘for braving the pangs of hunger and thirst for an entire month’. Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. In Ghana, the national event was held Saturday, at the Independence Square, Accra, with a congregation of the faithful who prayed for Allah’s mercies and blessings. The ceremony had as Special Guest the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who represented the President. ‘Besides the spiritual attainment of the month, they (Muslims) deserve commendation for the strict disciplinary code that they have adhered to throughout the period,’ President Akufo-Addo noted. He wished all Muslims a blissful and peaceful Eid-ul-Fitr. Monday, April 24, has been declared a statutory holiday by the Minister of the Interior in view of the Muslim festival being marked on a Saturday.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has asked Muslims to emulate the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, who symbolises religious tolerance for both Muslims and Christians. The Vice- President said the Chief Imam commanded respect amongst the Christian and the various Islamic sects in Ghana and beyond, with his peaceful, kind, humble, honest and selfless nature. Therefore, he should be a standard role-model for all Muslims. He was addressing the celebrants and well wishers at the national prayers to mark Eid-ul-Fitr, after the long-month fast. Ahead of the Chief Imam’s 104th birthday on Sunday, April 23, the Vice President wished him more years, Allah’s manifold blessings and good health. ‘Hundred years in the life of anything is remarkable and special grace from Almighty Allah. The life of the Chief Imam is a great blessing to the nation and beyond, an epitome of peace, tolerance and harmony, ‘he emphasised. ‘For me personally, he is a guide and an inspirer,’ Dr Bawumia added. The Vice-President also wished all Muslims in Ghana and abroad well and implored them to continue promoting peace, love and brotherhood. Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu led the national prayers to mark Eid-ul-Fitr, at the Black Star Square in Accra. In attendance were Imams, Zongo chiefs, traditional rulers, ministers of state, members of Parliament, the Diplomatic Community and Muslim faithful across the various Islamic Sects. They were gorgeously dressed for the occasion. Vice President Bawumia said the Holy month of Ramadan had awaken their sense of sacrifice and pride and entreated all Muslims to continue reflecting those virtues in their daily lives. On government policies, Dr Bawumia said the Akufo-Addo-led government had implemented inclusive policies aimed at improving the wellbeing of citizens. He cited the Free Senior High School, which had increased secondary school enrolment to 1.4 million, with the male and female enrolment now at par. He said 17 million Ghanaians had registered for the Ghana-Card, while the digital property addressing system for easy location of properties had been progressive. Additionally, the mobile money interoperability payment system had ensured seamless payment for goods and services. The Government, he said, had created more than two million jobs for the youth, excluding the jobs under planting for Food and Jobs and the Nation Builders Corps. With the youthful population of Ghanaians, the country could quickly transform its economic fortunes for the better since Malaysia and Japan had already led the way in that regard, he said. In an address read on his behalf by Alhaji Alhassan Sulley, Chairman of the National Planning Committee of Eid Celebration, Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu entreated Muslims to live in peace and harmony with one another.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The president of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) political party, Maurice Kamto has urged President Paul Biya to clarify the public on his son’s role in state and public affairs when he takes steps to defend his private interests under an official flag.

This is contained in a release signed by the official on April 22nd.

Chad announced on April 20, 2023, that it had recalled its Ambassador to Cameroon for consultations. In its statement, the Chadian presidency claims to have written several times to Yaounde to deplore the “unfriendly actions” of Cameroonian representatives within Cotco and the interference of Cameroonian personalities “brewing” around the Savannah Energy.

According to a statement from Savannah Energy PLC, the company has signed a sales agreement with Cameroon’s National Hydrocarbons (SNH) to hand over 10% of the capital of Cameroon Oil Transportation Company S.A. (COTCo). The transaction is subject to certain conditions and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023.

Kamto stated that he learned Franck Emmanuel Biya went to N’Djamena in September 2022, as part of this case to intervene in favor of this company. He outlined that the trip, with no official functions within the state, was followed by that of Elung Paul Che, Deputy Secretary General number 1 of the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon, from November 21 to 30 2022.

“It is urgent that he clarifies the situation and explains the role of his son in public affairs where he takes steps to defend private interests under an official flag. If not, national and international public opinion will be justified in suspecting him of being personally involved in this other scandal of our republic,“ he explained.

He noted that Chad is the only country in Central Africa that has stood by Cameroon in its fight against the Boko Haram cult since 2014 and a country where Cameroonian citizens suffer the least harassment.

“It is a brotherly and friendly country, which has historically always had very good relations with our country. As proof, it is the country in the sub-region where Cameroonian citizens suffer the least harassment and humiliation of all kinds from the authorities of the host country,” he stated.

He calls on the Parliament to open a parliamentary inquiry into this scandal.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Frontline Ambazonian activist, Edith Ngang, popularly known as Ma Ngang, has been sentenced to three years, 10 months in a federal prison in Minnesota, United States of America followed by two years supervised release, for conspiracy, and for illegally exporting firearms and ammunition from the United States to Nigeria without obtaining the required licenses from the U.S. State.

In a press release issued by the U.S States department of justice on April 21, 2023, it reveals that the 57 year old Cameroonian and her conspirator, Tse Ernst Bangarie have been found guilty of all the charges.

Before and after her sentencing, Edith Ngang revealed in a social media post, which CNA got that she is happy because the number of years are not many. She added that it is all for the freedom of Ambazonia.

“House, just to inform you all that I was sentenced to 3 years and 10 months to a low minimum federal prison in Minnesota. I am happy for it could be worst than this. For the sake of the freedom of Ambazonians it is more than worth it. I am so honored to have been at the position where I could serve my people and the battle continues once I am out…,” Edith Ngang said in a post that CNA got from social media.

A post purportedly shared in a WhatsApp group, obtained by CNA via Twitter post by an Activist.

In an interview granted to Esteem television, the activist added that her sentencing is also an eye-opener for the United States and the world to see what the people of Ambazonia are going through.

“I feel good because the legislative part of U.S has had the opportunity to hear about the issue. The executive knows about it and the only part I thought didn’t know was the judiciary and this case has brought the issue of the plight of southern Cameroonians the fact that they were not brought to self governing. The whole of America now knows about the issue of the plights of Ambazonians…,” She said in the interview with Esteem tv.

On several occasions, she has been seen on social media platforms, supporting the creation of the state of Ambazonia through secession from Cameroon.

Reason for her sentence

According to information from the press release issued by the court, Ngang and her conspirator pleaded guilty for exporting firearms, ammunition and other military-type items through Nigeria to support separatist fighters fight the government of Cameroon since 2017.

“Ngang admitted that she also participated in the reloading of ammunition in the basement of St. Michael’s residence in at least August and October 2018. However, the conspirators banned her from coming in person after a video of Ngang loading the ammunition was posted on social media in October 2018, something the conspirators considered a serious security breach. Ngang remained a member of the conspiracy and continued to communicate with St. Michael and others about the ongoing efforts to unlawfully export the firearms, ammunition and other items from the United States”

The press release furthered that while in court in 2018, Ngang provided information on how a container full with arms and ammunition is on the way to Cameroon. The ship transporting the container was trapped and all the contents were sent back to the US, according to the release.

It was also revealed that Tamufor St. Michael, age 42, of Rosedale, Maryland, Wilson Che Fonguh and five co-conspirators pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.

Meanwhile Eric Fru Nji and Wilson Nuyila Tita, were already sentenced to 63 months of incarceration in March 2023.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The newly inaugurated ESPOLY Business and Innovation School by the Enugu State Polytechnic will become innovation and Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub for Nigerians, says the Executive Director of the school, Mr Roland Ediawe.

ESPOLY, located at the former Enugu State University of Science and Technology AC building, is focusing on entrepreneurship development, ICT training and Vocational and Technical Studies for students.

Ediawe disclosed this during the official inauguration of the school on Friday in Enugu.

He said they would partner with India and European countries on ICT, stressing that India became what they were today because of the expertise in ICT.

Ediawe added they would also organise a bootcamp for secondary school students that would expose them early enough to technology.

According to him, the school is based on Public Private Partnership between Enugu State Polytechnic and a firm, Preziko Investment Limited, to create a training hub in Enugu for Nigerians.

“The idea of the initiative is that the world is moving towards technological driving and we also discovered the skill needs for modern business are lacking among the graduates, artisans and informal sector.

“This school is developed to bridge that gap, train the existing business owners on how best to manage their businesses, leveraging on modern technology and prepare graduates on challenges of modern day employment market,” Ediawe said.

The executive director added that the school would begin its academic activities in May with selected courses.

Earlier, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Rev. Fr. Nnamdi Nwankwo, said polytechnic was supposed to be for skilled and technical workers and as such, every polytechnic ought have business schools.

He said the school was very essential for the existence of their polytechnic which was directly built on skill acquisition.

“With this, Enugu State will have all the skill acquisition for the development of the state.

“Mr Ediawe brought the idea and we accepted it with memorandum of understanding in partnership with the school.

“We will issue them certificate while the school will provide the skill,” the rector said.

He added that the graduates of the school would bear the certificate of Enugu State Polytechnic, while “our partner will impact them with the required knowledge”.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other eminent Nigerians have showered encomium on Rev Dr Stephen Baba-Panya the President Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA)

They described him as a man with unique and uncommon qualities which he had used to better the society.

They spoke during the 60th anniversary thanksgiving service of the ECWA President who is also the Vice President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)

on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the celebration also marked his 30th marriage anniversary and 26years in Ministry.

Osinbajo described the celebrator as a true servant of God ,nation builder and a friend to the down trodden

Osinbajo who was represented by the Villa Chaplain Rev Seyi Malomo, said the ECWA President’s promotion in life was worthy to emulate.

“It is with special honour I facilitate you and your family and the church on these unique celebrations.

” For your humble nature and lover of Christ, your elevations in life has not caused you to build higher walls but longer dinning tables, and it is worth emulating,” he said.

The vice president prayed God to grant him long life and favour in all the great works he has been doing through the church for humanity and Nigeria.

Also, Mr Joseph Daramola, the Secretary General of CAN, who represented the association described him as a man of goodwill.

” He is calm, cool calculated, a gentle man,he is not a pushover in religious affairs

“His love for welfare of people and humanity cannot be underestimated,

He has carefully carved his good name in serving God and Humanity; in the religious affairs of the country and world wide,” his traits i will ask us Nigerians to emulate”.

Rev William Okoye ,Founder and General Overseer of All Christians Fellowship Mission, Abuja Nigeria thanked Rev Panya -Baba for his show of kindness ,unity and love in the Christiandom, describing him as a man of peace.

He commended him for keeping to Gods words as God will keep to his words too.

Okoye encouraged him never to give up, in spite of challenges in winning more souls to Christ.

Also in his speech,the Esu Karu, in Nasarawa State, Pharm Luka Panya Baba also thanked God for giving him a such a wonderful brother .

He commended the ECWA President for enhancing religious activities in the family and community.

” He is a younger brother, religious leader and friend, he is a visionary, prayerful, dependable leader,I pray God keeps him in his vine yard “.

A U.S.- based clergy Rev Timothy Cowin, prayed the Grace of God never to departed from him as he remained in Christ too.

Cowin described the president as a child of Grace,he encouraged him not to look back in serving God but be focused

On his part, the celebrator, Rev Panya-Baba, said all he could say was thank the Lord, as only His Grace had kept him.

He said serving and knowing God, recognising Him as your dependable source, donations to charity, care for the downtrodden and the less privileges where his happiest activities in life.

Earlier in a sermon, Rev Silas Yako, who spoke on the topic ” the secret of thanksgiving “urged Christians never to neglect thanking God for every thing He has one.

According to him thanksgiving means forgetting not and appreciating what God has done.

He said God in turn multiplies each time any thanksgiving is done.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria