Lagos State to Create Public Holiday for Traditional Worshippers
Sunday Ehigiator
The Chairman, House Committee on Lands, Representing Ikeja II Constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adedamola Kasunmu, has recently revealed the plans of the Lagos state house to pass a bill, recognising a special holiday for the recognition of traditional worshippers in the state.
He recently made this known to THISDAY at the 19th National Conference of the Council of Knights, Methodist Church Nigeria, recently held in Lagos state.
According to Kasunmu, “looking at the religious sector, the promotion of developmental projects is no doubt key and essential in making sure that we encourage spiritual growth in the life of people in general.
“And I want to believe that, at the Lagos State House of Assembly, we are a respecter of faith and the spiritual lives of the people, be it Christian or Muslim or the traditional worshipper.
“As a point of note, last Friday, at a plenary section which was our Yoruba speaking day, we spoke about giving the traditional aspect of religion a voice.
“Not forgetting where we come from, our cultural heritage, promoting the customs and tradition of our citizens, identifying that the importance of spiritualism and religion is a point of note that should be taken into proper consideration.
“The idea of that plenary was to make sure we separate a particular day for the traditional worshipers to celebrate themselves.
“In as much as the Christians have for example, December 25 as a day they worship and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and likewise the Muslims, have a day they celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, they celebrate the Ileya festival, the Eid al- Fitri, the breaking of fasting and so on, traditional worshipers too must have a voice.
“This shows that there is a common cohesion and collaboration that exist in terms of all sector necessary to keep Lagos state working.
Especially at a time when Lagos state government is poised in making sure that we continue to be a 21st century state, a pace setter, a centre of excellence who is a promoter of public interest in terms of economic growth and development.
“We are pace setters for other states to follow, and we would stop at nothing at the Lagos state house of assembly to continue to live and rise above every common standard.”
On the traffic situation and infrastructural developments in Lagos state, he said the house was working assiduously to make sure that the issues are tackled.
According to him, “all concerns raised by Lagos residents are pertinent enough, and of course, everything necessary to put the road networks back in appreciate conditions would be done to the later. “And we would ensure this by working effectively in collaboration with the executive arm of government in making sure that we perform the necessary oversight functions on the executive arm of government as stipulated by the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended in 1999.
Ayodeji Ake
The management of Core TV news, one the nation’s top news station has announced the temporary shutdown of the station owing to floods occasioned by the release of water from the Oyan Dam, which has flooded its international headquarters.
In press state made available to THISDAY, the Managing Director and Founder of the station, Olajide Adediran said the decision though a painful one, is designed to safeguard the lives of its members of staff and the station’s multi million naira equipment from further damage.
He urged the Ogun State government and other stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the issue of release of water from the Oyan Dam, assuring the general public that the station will bounce back better in the next few days once the situation improves with the flood water expected to recede in the coming days. While pledging the commitment of the management to lending its platform for advocacy in finding a lasting solution to the challenges posed by the issue, he added that the issue of flooding in the Isheri estate, where the headquarters of the station is located, is one that requires the cooperation of all stakeholders. He also assured members of staff and its teeming viewers that the station will continue to uphold the highest level of responsibility and professional ethics in its day-to-day operations.
The President of The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Ibadan, Nigeria, Professor (Brother) David Olugbade Fakeye has underscored the need for breakfast fellowship.
He said this is one of the four core values that YMCA as a humanitarian body (founded on June 6,1844 – about 176 years ago) always tries to incorporate into all its programmes, special events and activities - namely,- respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring, and also putting Christian principles into practice by developing a healthy body, mind and sprit.
Fakeye who stated this at the weekend on the occasion of breakfast fellowship held at YMCA centre, Ibadan, with the theme: “YMCA: service to humanity, the authority of Jesus Christ” noted that going by the happenings in the social, economic, political and religious space of Nigeria, we need constant touch with the words of God, also, we need to seek spiritual intervention in our Father Lord.
The guest speaker, Revd. Dr. Edward Kehinde Alabi, minister-in-charge Molete Baptist Church, Challenge, Idi-Odo, Ibadan, further underscored benefits of service to humanity and ministering to the needy, which includes; people will thank God for your life, –your good works can speak for you, – God also will meet your own need, –God’s kingdom will be populated by your actions, – you will be able to do more for God,- you will not lose your reward, - when you call for help, God will send help for you also, and – you will share in God’s kingdom. Alabi regretted that our generation speaks much of loving Jesus, but acts so little in expressing the love of God to the needy.
The cleric further said God expects us to care for the needy, as he bring them along our ways, as we are positioned for a purpose, also adding that
this is a wake-up call for the church and the need for Christians to be sensitive to the needs of others around us.
The YMCA Ibadan Acting Secretary,Mr Niyi Fagbemi and Brother (Engineer) Tokunbo Ogungbemi, Chairman Programme Committee both
commended those in attendance and the indefatigable spirit of the board of management for bringing Breakfast Fellowship back on track after the break of six years (August 2013).