society

RCCG Solid Rock Donates Modern School Building To Lagos Government

Published

2 years ago

July 13, 2022

RCCG Solid Rock Donates Modern School Building To Lagos Government

The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 40, Solid Rock Parish, Ojodu has donated a Modern School Building of 10 classrooms, its third in that community, to the Lagos State Government.

The 10- classroom block complex built in Ojodu Primary School was handed over to the government in a brief but colorful ceremony held on Friday, July 8 at the school compound.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Pastor In Charge, Lagos Province 40, Pastor Bola Odutola restated that, ‘’RCCG Lagos Province 40 has been providing assistance to support education development efforts by Lagos State Government through various projects.’’

Still explaining further, Odutola said, ‘’ as a church, we believe that education is one of the important sectors for the socio-economic development of any country and it is, therefore, essential that we all work together to assist the Government in delivering quality education for all.’’

He said, ‘’we also believe it is important for all the children to learn in a conducive and safe environment, hence the resolve of our church to support the Government continuously.’’

‘’ We seek to mitigate the problem of overcrowded classrooms in this community thereby making the learning environment conducive for learners and educators. We are driven by a resolve to restore dignity to our public schools as most of us are beneficiaries of quality education from public schools.’’

‘’We are, therefore, very pleased with the successful completion of the construction of this block of classrooms,’’ Odutola stated.

While expressing gratitude to the builders and other professionals involved for their efforts, as well as the principal and staff of Ojodu

primary School for their cooperation, Odutola urged the school authority to ensure that the new block of classrooms is well -utilized and properly maintained.

In her response to the good efforts of the church, Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, who received the school on behalf of the government, expressed appreciation to the church saying, ‘’ the state had a long and good relationship with the Redeemed Christian Church of God.’’

She said, ‘’ On behalf of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu, we thank the church very much. We are proud of the relationship with RCCG. This is not the first RCCG church project I am commissioning as a Commissioner. My own first commissioning as a Commissioner was a school built by RCCG church in Lagos Island where they also gave school bags and a lot of school equipment to children. Again, I say thank you.’’

Adefisayo also urged the school authority to maintain the building and make sure the facilities are always in good condition.

Also present at the event to anchor the formal presentation of the building was Pastor Brown Oyitso, Intercontinental CSR Missions Coordinator of RCCG. In his speech, he commended LP 40 and other provinces of the church for their swift and prompt response to the directive of the General Overseer, Pastor E.A Adeboye, asking all provinces of the church to impact positively on their host communities.

Oyitso, who came with many other ministers involved in Christian Social Responsibility programmes of the church, stated that Christian Social Responsibility provides a conscious avenue for Christians to make a visible impact in various key areas that can impact society. “Where others see societal challenges as unscalable barriers all around the world, we see opportunities to take decisive effort to create solutions as we work with people, communities, leaders, and governments worldwide” he explained.

It could be recalled that in 2016, RCCG Solid Rock Parish also handed over a block of ten classrooms to the same school. The school is perhaps the biggest public primary school cluster in the Ojodu community with at least three schools in the same compound. The new classrooms will help the school to further bring its student-per-classroom ratio to a good point.

RCCG is a frontline institution in Nigeria and beyond, making massive impact in its corporate social responsibility projects. The CSR initiative of the church is sub-divided into eight identifiable sections tagged SHEMBAGS. The acronym stands for Social, Health , Education, Business, Arts and Culture, Government and Sports. Each section specifically targets needs in areas vital to people and societies globally.

society

Deadly Stampedes Spark NASRE Outcry: ‘End Poverty, Save Lives'”

Published

5 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Deadly Stampedes Spark NASRE Outcry: 'End Poverty, Save Lives'"

NASRE Demands Action as Food Stampede Tragedies Expose Systemic Failures”

The Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) has condemned the rising death toll from food queue stampedes, which claimed 67 lives across Nigeria in just four days, labeling it a “heartbreaking reflection of systemic failures.”

In a statement on Monday, NASRE’s Media Director, Lateef Owodunni, described the tragedies as a grim consequence of worsening poverty and the government’s inability to protect its citizens.

The group first mourned the victims of a December 18 stampede at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, where 35 children tragically lost their lives.

“This horrific incident highlights the dire need for better planning and safety measures at public events, especially those involving children,” Owodunni stated.

NASRE also expressed sorrow over the deaths of 10 people, including children, during a food aid distribution at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja. Offering condolences to affected families, the group described the incident as a “wake-up call for the nation’s conscience.”

The association further decried the fatal stampede at a rice distribution event in Anambra that killed 22 people and injured 32 others, calling for immediate reforms in the management of relief efforts.

“These tragedies paint a grim picture of a nation plagued by poverty and failing social support systems. Acts of charity should not lead to preventable deaths. The government must revamp its approach to palliative distribution to prioritize safety and dignity,” Owodunni emphasized.

NASRE stressed that the root cause of such tragedies is deep-seated poverty and urged the government and private organizations to implement sustainable solutions.

“No Nigerian should lose their life in the pursuit of food or assistance. This is a national disgrace and a call to action for all stakeholders to safeguard the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens,” the statement concluded

society

Family Accuses Kwara Police of Torturing Man to Death Over Debt, Investigation Underway

Published

11 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Family Accuses Kwara Police of Torturing Man to Death Over Debt, Investigation Underway

The death of 35-year-old Jimoh AbdulQodir Tunji in the custody of the Kwara State Police Command has left his family and the local community in shock, with accusations of police brutality emerging after the man’s tragic passing.

Tunji, a poultry farmer, was allegedly arrested on Friday, December 20, following a petition filed by his employer over an unpaid debt of N220,000. His family has accused police officers of torturing him to death while in custody, a claim that has sparked widespread outrage.

A heartbreaking video surfaced online on Sunday, showing Tunji’s grieving mother and relatives accusing the police of causing his death. In the emotional footage, his mother tearfully cried out, “My son did not kill anyone. He only owed someone. They have killed my son. Please, come to my aid. The police at the headquarters have killed my son. His name was Kadri. He was a good boy in the community. They beat him to death in police custody. They didn’t allow us to see him. Blood was gushing out of his nose.”

In response to the allegations, the Kwara State Police Command released a statement confirming the incident. The police spokesperson, Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, stated that Tunji had been invited by the police on charges of obtaining money by “false pretence” and confirmed that an investigation had already begun to determine the cause of death.

“The Kwara State Police Command is aware of an unfortunate incident that led to the tragic loss of one Mr. Jimoh AbdulQodir, which occurred on December 20, 2024,” the statement read. “The deceased was invited on an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence to the sum of N220,000. Discreet investigations into this incident have commenced to ascertain the cause. Further developments on the outcome will be communicated as it progresses, as no stone will be left unturned.”

The case has drawn significant attention, as it marks the third time in under five months that the Kwara State Police have been implicated in the death of a suspect. Earlier this year, police officers were accused of causing the deaths of 27-year-old Suleiman Olayinka, an asthmatic patient, and Kwara State Polytechnic student Ishola Abdulqoyum, who was allegedly fatally shot by officers in September.

In a bid to ensure accountability, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, instructed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to take over the investigation into Tunji’s death. The IGP expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and reassured the public of a thorough and impartial investigation.

During a meeting with the family on Sunday, the IGP said, “The IGP has ordered the FCID to handle the case with utmost diligence and ensure a conclusive and impartial investigation. He further reassured the family and the general public that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability, professionalism, and respect for human rights.”

The case has reignited concerns about police brutality in Kwara, as the region grapples with rising incidents of alleged police violence. As the investigation unfolds, the family and the public are closely watching to see if justice will be served.

society

Seven Dead in Light Aircraft Crash in Jalisco, Mexico

Published

11 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Seven Dead in Light Aircraft Crash in Jalisco, Mexico

At least seven people have died following the crash of a light aircraft in a remote, heavily forested area of Jalisco, western Mexico, local authorities confirmed on Sunday.

The aircraft, a Cessna 207, was en route from La Parota in the neighboring state of Michoacan when it went down. Jalisco Civil Protection reported the crash site was in an area difficult to access, complicating rescue and recovery operations.

In a statement on social media, Civil Protection confirmed that “preliminary reports” from the scene indicated that seven people had died. Their identities have not yet been released, and authorities are working to confirm further details.

The agency also mentioned that a fire at the crash site was extinguished, and risk mitigation efforts were carried out to prevent additional damage. “We are waiting for forensic investigators to arrive to remove the bodies and rule out the presence of other victims,” the statement added.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities working to gather more information on the incident.