Mahama lied to Ghanaians to win, but we’ll hold him accountable for his promises – NPP UK
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Kingsley Adumattah Agyapong, Chairman of the United Kingdom branch of the (NPP), also known as Wofa K, has served notice that they will hold President-elect John Dramani Mahama to the fire in ensuring that he delivers on his campaign promises.

“If Mahama fails to build on the growth we have achieved, the growth rate will drop, and the country will head back to the challenges and difficulties we complained about. Mahama should make sure that he will stabilize the cedi. He also promised to help reduce the price of kenkey. They promised not to scrap the free SHS. They promised to scrap E-Levy.

“They realized that a lot of Ghanaians were in the rural communities and lacked an understanding of these issues, and so when they went there to campaign, they peddled falsehoods so they could win their votes. They left the country in a terrible state with dumsor for almost five years in 2016.

GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE

PRESS RELEASE

Xmas: Strong Nigerians should care for the weak, and the rich for the poor – Uzodimma

…Insists they should show love to those who can’t repay for deeds extended to them.

Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma has called on the Nigerian strongmen (and women) to make it a point of duty to care for the weak in their midst just as he urged the rich to show benevolence to the poor.

Speaking during the Christmas Church Service held at St. Lima of Rose Catholic Parish, Ozuh Omuma in Orlu Diocese, the home Church of the Governor, in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State on Wednesday (December 25), the Governor also insisted that the privileged Nigerians should take delight in showing love to the less privileged who may not have the capacity to repay them for their good deeds.

“Let us take advantage of the season to show love to our neighbours and people around us irrespective of religious, political party and ethnic coloration. Let love led us in Imo State, Communities, Local Governments and the country at large and when we do this, the Egyptians we saw yesterday we shall see no more.”

Governor Uzodimma’s advice coincided with the Christmas Service Homily by the Bishop of Ekwulobia Catholic Diocese, His Eminence Peter (Cardinal) Okpaleke, who reminded the Christian faithful, and all men of goodwill, that service to the people in whatever position they find themselves is akin to fulfilling the reason for the gift of Jesus Christ to mankind as Lord and Saviour by God.

The Governor thanked God for making it possible for Imolites in particular, and Nigerians in general, to witness another Christmas season, insisting that Christians should emulate the principles of love and compassion exemplified by Jesus Christ and strive to be their brothers’ keepers.

Governor Uzodimma who maintained that Christ’s birth was a demonstration of unparalleled love and compassion, noted that throughout his life’s journey Jesus Christ went about doing good because of the love he has for everyone regardless of their social status.

The Governor used the opportunity to regret the death of those who lost their lives at Ibadan, Abuja and Okija respectively during the occasion of the well intended charity work of giving to the less privileged that aligns with the Christmas season, also sympathised with their families and prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased.

He however said that the incidents that unfortunately turned tragic should not deter people from doing good or engaging in acts of charity and compassion, even as he commended the efforts of the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in ensuring that there is food security in Nigeria.

The Governor reiterated his determination to continue to work in the interest of the people by ensuring that all sectors that carter to their needs are given the proper attention they deserve, insisting that his 3R Shared Prosperity Government is already on top of the situation of making the welfare of the people its top priority as can be seen from the joyous mood of civil servants and pensioners this season.

Leveraging from the homily of His Eminence, the Governor said that the current hunger in Nigeria is also experienced all over the world due to the war in Ukraine and Russia and that of Palestine and Israel who are the major suppliers of food to the whole world including Nigeria.

The Governor said what is required of Nigerian citizens is to join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his policies in agriculture and livestock production where he has budgeted large sums of money to ensure food security and sufficiency for Nigeria people.

“We should now join hands with Mr. President to produce what we eat and eat what we produce.”

The Governor informed that his administration is focused on care for the people’s welfare through good roads, agriculture, healthcare and education and enjoined all to continue to support the 3R administration.

The Governor’s further remarks read: “It is with a profound sense of joy that I address the good people of Imo State on the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebration.

“I give God all the glory for keeping us alive to witness another year of the commemoration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. For those who have departed before today, I pray for the repose of their souls.

“I also wish to use this opportunity to once more sympathize with those who lost their lives during the sharing of food in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija. It is most unfortunate that these acts of charity turned tragic.

“But because it was a good cause that turned sour, we should not be deterred from doing good or engaging in acts of compassion, which is what Christmas represents in its entirety.

“Our Lord, Jesus Christ, agreed to be born for our salvation. That was an act of unparalleled love and compassion. All throughout His earthly journey, He went about doing good, performing miracles, healing the sick, offering hope to the hopeless, and feeding the hungry.

“When we celebrate Christmas, we are to emulate the virtues of love and compassion exemplified by Him, who came to the world to save mankind. We must be our brothers’ keepers by ensuring that the strong care for the weak. This is the message we should take home this Christmas: Let the strong show compassion to the weak and the rich benevolence to the poor.

“As a government, we shall continue to strengthen all the institutions of the state to ensure the well-being of the citizenry. The goal of our 3R administration is nothing but making life easier for the people.

“When we build roads and other infrastructure, we care for the people. When we intervene in health, education, agriculture, or social welfare, we do it for the people. I am happier today that our civil servants and pensioners are happy.

“The joy of the season is the love showered on us by God. This love, exemplified in His total submission to be our Redeemer, should be translated into our relationship with others. We should show that same love, especially to the less privileged who may never be able to repay us for our deeds.

“As we celebrate this year’s Christmas, I urge all Imo people and, indeed, Nigerians to show love to one another irrespective of our political or religious affiliation. We should appreciate the efforts of the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in repositioning the economy, especially in ensuring food security in Nigeria.

“Let love lead us this Christmas. Let us shower love on our neighbours, our state, and our country.

“I wish all of us a love-filled Christmas.

“Happy Christmas, Imo people. Happy Christmas Christmas Nigerians.”

Earlier in his homily, Cardinal Okpalaeke
said Christians should open their hearts to the divine heart of God following the footsteps of Jesus Christ who is sent for our Salvation.

He highlighted the hunger in the land that has led to the loss of lives and the problem of Nigeria compounded by insecurity, kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.

However, Cardinal Okpalaeke assuaged the peoples fear when he encouraged all that there are challenges everywhere and that the coming of Christ is the solution to all, noting that “whatever we do to our neighbour is done to Christ.”

Cardinal Okpaleke however urged the government to do more to meet the needs of the people by prioritising its programmes as doing so will be in sync with what the coming of Jesus Christ depicts.

He said that the Church will continue to pray for those in positions of authority to discharge their duties in ways that the love Jesus Christ brought to the world will not be in vain.

The Vice Chancellor K. O. Mbadiwe University, Ideato, Orlu, Prof. Ikechukwu Dozie took the First reading, while Governor Uzodimma took the second reading.

Highlights of the Church Service were the administration of the Eucharist and display of cultural play by Ozuh Omuma Youths.

The Christmas Service was attended by all categories of persons – political, business, traditional, religious, educational – from Imo State and beyond, including the Service Chiefs.

Prominent among the attendees were the wife of the Governor, Barr (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma with her children and other family members, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru and her husband, Chukwuma, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chike Olemgbe, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, members of the National Assembly (Senator Patrick Ndubueze, Chike Okafor, Princes Miriam Onuoha, and Eugene Dibiagwu), Imo State APC Chairman, Sir Macdonald Ebere and his predecessor, Chief Marcon Nlemigbo and other National and State chieftains of the Party, the Minister of State (Finance) Dr. Doris Anite-Uzoka, and former minister of Education, Rt. Hon. Good luck Opia.

Others were Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu and his spouse, the Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie and his spouse, members of the Imo State Expanded Executive Council, former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Igariwey Igariwey and the current Secretary General, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, Co Chairman of Southern Traditional Council/ Imo State Elders Council, HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers/ Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Eze EC Okeke, Eze Oliver Ohanweh, Chief Tony Chukwu, Chief Henry Njoku, Chief Charles Amadi, and many others too numerous to mention.

Oguwike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor
December 25, 2024.

King Charles has delivered a personal message of gratitude to health workers who have supported him during his cancer treatment, in his annual Christmas speech.

In a candid message, he offered his “heartfelt thanks” to the doctors and nurses who helped with the “uncertainties and anxieties of illness”.

The King also praised the efforts of those building links between different communities in what he called the “anger and lawlessness” of the summer riots.

Diversity in ethnicity and faith is a sign of “strength, not weakness”, said the King’s message.

This year’s Christmas broadcast was delivered in the Fitzrovia Chapel in London, the first time a venue outside a royal residence had been used for over a decade.

It had been the former chapel of the Middlesex Hospital, reflecting the theme of paying respect to those working in the health services.

“All of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our life, be it mental or physical,” said the King, but the “measure of our civilisation” is how people are supported at such moments.

The King’s message, recorded earlier this month, expressed his gratitude for “selfless” medical professionals and volunteers who used their skills to “care for others – often at some cost to themselves”.

He acknowledged the help for others in his family, with the Princess of Wales receiving a cancer diagnosis this year.

And he thanked the public for their kind words and messages, after his own cancer diagnosis was revealed in February.

The broadcast showed him meeting cancer patients, when he returned to public engagements in April, during a visit to University College London Hospital.

The King’s treatment will continue into 2025, but as a positive sign of progress, he is planning a busy schedule of visits and overseas trips next year.

The Fitzrovia Chapel was chosen for its links to the healthcare professions
© PA Media

Another major theme of the speech was a focus on community cohesion.

The King praised the efforts of those who had sought to build bridges between communities after the summer riots, that had followed the knife attack in Southport.

“I felt a deep sense of pride here in the United Kingdom when, in response to anger and lawlessness in several towns this summer, communities came together, not to repeat these behaviours, but to repair. To repair not just buildings, but relationships,” said the King.

“Diversity of culture, ethnicity and faith provides strength, not weakness,” said the King, who praised efforts to “respect our differences, to defeat prejudice”.

The King’s words echo the Christmas message given by his mother the late Queen Elizabeth in 2004, when she addressed community tensions, saying “diversity is indeed a strength and not a threat”.

In a speech earlier this year on Commonwealth Day, the King had also stressed the same message that “diversity is our greatest strength”.

The Christmas broadcast included pictures of Prince William and Catherine thanking emergency workers who responded to the Southport knife attack, in a visit which had included a meeting with bereaved families.

Accompanying the speech a community choir sang the carol Once in Royal David’s City. And a Christmas tree seen in the broadcast has since been donated to a hospice in Clapham.

There were words of sympathy from the King for those at risk in wars around the world, with conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The King commended the “remarkable veterans of that very special generation” as he recalled the 80th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings.

The broadcast followed the convention of showing working royals, so there were no sightings of either Prince Harry or Prince Andrew.

King Charles is spending Christmas Day in Sandringham in Norfolk.

Crowds gathered in the morning to watch him going to a church service with his family, including Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales.