STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU TO CATHOLIC BISHOPS: I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERNS, BUT WE HAVE TO BUILD A NATION

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he fully understands what Nigerians are going through but that the present economic reform is necessary to build a resilient country and guarantee our children’s future.

The President said this Friday in Abuja when he received the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

President Tinubu highlighted the importance of citizens and leaders investing in the nation to build a strong society. He emphasised that poverty affects everyone regardless of religion and called for collective efforts to fight it. He stressed that the tax reform presented a good investment opportunity for citizens to build their nation.

“Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was hard, tough for me, but it’s a hard choice that Nigeria must face. We are not going to bankrupt our country.

“We were spending the investment of the future of our children yet unborn; We were spending their rights, and poverty has no religious basis. There’s no religious colouration, no identity. It affects all, and we must fight it together,” the President emphasised.

On the request to return mission schools that governments have taken over, President Tinubu said schools are subnational entities, not owned by the Federal Government.

“I’ve been a good example as the governor of Lagos state. I returned all the mission schools”.

President Tinubu commended the Catholic body’s commitment to education and healthcare.

He added that he set up NELFUND to ensure that no student dropped out of school due to a lack of funds for tuition fees. He promised to look at ways to help students of private institutions that NELFUND does not cover.

President Tinubu noted that the security agencies were already curtailing the nation’s insecurity, stressing that adherents of all religions felt the impact of the efforts.

“This insecurity, everyone is affected, Christians, Muslims alike. I have no religious bias; I won’t be a bigot. My wife is a pastor of Redeemed Christian Church. But we have to think of our country; this country must develop and must stand beyond religious bigotry. And I’m here open to you, ready to listen.

“We’ve been together for some time. We have an open-door policy. I will not shut my door.”

The President thanked religious leaders for their prayers, as the country is already witnessing a better deal and a newfound optimism. He highlighted the competition among operators in the petroleum sector, the bountiful harvest enjoyed by farmers, and the lower prices of commodities, adding that investments are flowing into the country.

“There is hope; people are coming in to invest. They are saying good things about Nigeria. I am very proud of that. What seems to be a very difficult beginning is now showing us hope. And we are not half-time yet. I’m happy to see this period alive and healthy, and I am thankful to all of you for your prayers.

Most Reverend Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the Archbishop of Owerri and the CBCN President, who led the delegation of 20 Bishops from across the country, said they were at the State House to congratulate President Tinubu on his victory, having not had the opportunity last year, and to commend him for his efforts to reposition the country and share some concerns.

“Your government’s policy mantra is anchored on the principles of Renewed Hope. In this regard, we are pleased to inform you that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has declared this year as the year of hope, the Jubilee Year of Hope, a theme we adopted for our conference. We came with the final fruits of our deliberations and will share them with you.”

He said the removal of fuel subsidies had undoubtedly affected the people and commended the tax reform initiative, which he believed would “generate, in the long run, more resources for advancing the common good.”

He acknowledged the efforts of security agencies to curtail insecurity in the land. Still, he urged for more concerted efforts to “rekindle hope and inspire confidence in the hearts of our people.”

The Bishops called for a well-defined vision of religion as a force for moral integrity and patriotic unity without necessarily impinging on individuals’ fundamental rights.

According to them, “efforts should be made to ensure that religious practice in Nigeria fosters unity rather than division.”

On religious pilgrimages, the body said that government should hands-off sponsorship to curtail waste and corruption.

“The government should allow religious groups to take full responsibility for organising pilgrimages. In their current structure, the national and state pilgrims’ boards serve neither their adherents nor the broader interest of the nation. You’re undoubtedly aware of the instances of corruption that have led to the removal of some board executives to ensure greater efficiency and accountability.

“We would propose that public funds be redirected towards pressing national needs,” the CBCN President said.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, who was also at the event, recalled his attendance at the Charismatic Bishop Conference in 2024, emphasising the need for the nation to remain together, to be united, to be focused, and to maintain support for the government, even in the face of temporary hardship.

“It is no news that in any reform that happens in all parts of the world, temporary hardships are usually experienced. And we’re happy to note that today, not only does the federal government have more money to spend to bring about the kind of promises that the President made at the very beginning, but also to ensure that the future, according to the President, as he always says, the future of our children and the children yet unborn, will not be frittered away.”

Mohammed said security had greatly improved in the nation. “In 2023, I know how difficult it was to move from Abuja to Kaduna; it is almost impossible just to take your car, fuel it, and begin to go on that road. Today, this is not the case. We know that farmers used to find it extremely difficult to go to the farms. We know that this has not completely gone away, but it is a reality that today, no one asks questions to move from Abuja to Kaduna or any part of the North.”

He said the national value charter that the President championed in his 2025 New Year message will soon be launched to ensure that Nigerians come together to reclaim our lost values.

He added that the National Orientation Agency is working to ensure that both religions teach the Bible and the Quran in our schools and the return of civic education.

The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, also attended the event.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

March 14, 2025

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has declared that any cleric who seeks human parts to make money is a priest.

Akanbi made this declaration during a Ramadan lecture organized by the Federation of Ahlus-Sunnah Organisations in Nigeria, FASON, and Jamiyyat Ahlil Kitab Was-Sunnah, JAKWAS, held at Khayrul Adab School of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Apete, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

The event was attended by FASON Amir, Fodilatu Sheikh Tajudeen Abdul-Kareem, the Alawotan of Awotan, Oba Dauda Adebayo Omotoso, the Divisional Police Officer of Apete Divisional Headquarters, CSP Muhammad Ayodeji, and scores of Islamic clerics.

The traditional ruler, while addressing the gathering, said that clerics who seek human parts to make money are priests.

He stated that one of the roles of Islamic clerics is to preach the oneness of God and to encourage people to shun idol worship.

Akanbi, who mentioned that he was a cleric before becoming a king, said that it took him two years and nine months to ascend the throne.

He said, “As Islamic clerics, you have to deliver the message of God to the people. Traditional rulers have to be firm and just in delivering judgments. You need to preach the oneness of God. Tell them not to worship idols.

“I thank God, I was once an Islamic cleric. If someone is an Islamic cleric and he becomes king, what does it entail? It means promotion. I have now become a king, a representative of God on earth.

“Any cleric who seeks human parts to make money is a priest. They are priests. They are Babalawos. You don’t have to look for human parts to be rich. If you have knowledge, you will be a wealthy person.

“As a representative of God, there are still some traditional rulers who worship idols. The position of a king is the highest; it is not a demotion. Idol worship is a curse. There is no forgiveness for idol worship.

“Kings are supposed to worship God; they are not supposed to worship idols. Do not be deceived; we are not to worship idols. I am a custodian of tradition, but when it comes to religion, I worship only one God.

“Many people do not want to work before they become rich. If you believe in God, God is very close to us. You cannot deceive God.

“I spent two years and nine months before I became Oluwo. At that time, I had spent a lot of money. I was almost down. I did not see the governor until the day of the announcement, and the governor announced me.

“Do not equate the position of God with anything else. Do not leave here and continue to worship idols. Believe in one God; do not worship idols again.”

TB Joshua used to be like Odumeje back in the days.

You see all these shows Odumeje puts up, TB Joshua was the one who started it.

The only difference between Odumeje and TB Joshua, was that the internet wasn’t as advanced as it was back then. TB Joshua came into limelight as far back as the 80s!

If there are still pictures of him as far back as the late 80s and early 90s, you’ll see that he used to look so unkempt and tattered. The only folks that used to associate with his church back then, were the white garment people.

I mean, this is someone who people alleged had a large snake living in the lake inside his church!

TB Joshua couldn’t speak English properly back then. He still couldn’t till he passed on, but his grammar was worse.

When the internet started becoming popular, he rebranded his church. Polished his English and dressing a little bit, then went live on satellite TV.

Then, he got Pastor Chris Oyakilohme to come pay him a visit, because no pastor from any mega church agreed to associate themselves with him.

It was when Pastor Chris Oyakilohme came, that TB Joshua laid hand on his back and he in turn laid hands on a crippled man, and they claimed to heal him.

It turned out that the said man wasn’t crippled persay. He just had an issue standing up for long, because he was always fainting. So he resorted to using a wheelchair. Yeah, do the math… The healing wasn’t an actual healing.

A lot of people who TB Joshua claimed to have cured of Aids and told them to stop taking their medicine, actually came back to say that when they went for another test, they were still positive. In fact, a South African man who TB Joshua asked to stop taking his HIV drugs, claiming he was healed, later died at the age of 40 from AIDS.

Go on the internet, these things are documented.

After Chris Oyakilohme visited TB Joshua, a lot of mega pastors have not associated themselves with him. Have you seen Oyedepo or Oyedepo in Christ Embassy before? Or, have you seen Pastor Chris being invited to popular conventions like Shiloh or Pastor Paul Adesina’s praise concert? All other pastors of mega churches are usually there, except for Pastor Chris.

When TB Joshua was alive and even in death, many pastors never recognized him as a true man of God. The head of CAN and PFN refused to register his church under their body.

Oh! One Pastor who was vocal in his criticism of TB Joshua, was Chris Okotie. He called him a prophet of Baal. As a matter of fact, Chris Okotie and Oyakhilome used to be good friends, until he went to visit TB Joshua’s church.

Chris Okotie then came out to say that Oyakhilome went to visit Joshua to join a secret cult and that’s where he got his healing powers.

Omoh, so many controversies surrounding this man.

©Kosi Ugo.