Catholic Church kicks against rumours, urges politicians to respect sacred lines

The Catholic Diocese of Warri on Saturday appealed to political actors in Delta to respect the sacred lines as they go about their campaigns.

The Parish Priest of St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Effurun, Delta, the Very Rev. Fr. Mark Ikeke made the appeal in a statement issued in Warri.

The church was responding to rumours that Sen. Ovie OmoAgege, All Progressives Congress

(APC) governorship candidate is not a Christian.

Ikeke declared that OmoAgege is not only a Christian, but a baptised, practicing and dedicated member of the Catholic Church.

“Our attention has been drawn to a rumour that one of our parishioners, Sen. OmoAgege, the Deputy President of the Senate is not a Christian.

“For the avoidance of doubt,

Sen. Omo-Agege is a baptised, practicing and dedicated member of the Roman Catholic Church.

“He is a member of and a communicant in St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Government Reservation Area, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta,” Ikeke said.

He added that the church recognises that this is an election season and encourages political leaders and their supporters to strive to uphold decorum, respect sacred lines and show love to all in their campaigns.

According to him, the sole purpose of the press statement is to encourage decorum and uphold the truth regarding Sen. Omo-Agege’s religious identity.

“We hope and pray that our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ should thoroughly guide our actions and inactions,’’ he added. (NAN)

Stakeholders task African leaders on human capital

Some stakeholders in Africa have tasked governments and politicians on the need for human capital development to prevent the continent from being vulnerable to attacks.

The stakeholders spoke on Friday at a Pre-Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development High-Level Dialogue (Pre-COM 2023 Dialogue), which was held virtually.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the webinar was organised by the Economic Commission for Africa Subregion for West Africa (ECA/ SRO-WA).

According to the stakeholders, improved human capital will lead to a decline in vulnerable communities’, especially groups, women and youths.

Prof. Fatou Sarr, the Commissioner in-charge of Human Capital and Social Affairs, ECOWAS, said wealth creation was key to breaking societal vulnerability.

Sarr said: “Wealth creation can only be done if we strengthen the capacity of these young people and women to have the skills and access the wealth.

“And of cause, they also need training and education. Social safety networks are indeed very important, but they are only transitory.

“ So, we need to ask ourselves what kind of Africa we want in 25 to 30 years and set up the infrastructure to undertake that today.

“Therefore, beyond the training, the expertise and the skills, we also need to have the means. And those are very critical aspects.”

The professor underscored the need for an improved communication network on the continent, saying that all developed countries moved through energy and communication channels.

She said these are critical areas enabling the continent to