Egypt Mourns 25 Christians Killed In Massive Church Bombing

Egypt’s Coptic community held a funeral service on Monday for 25 Christians killed in a bombing the previous day at a church next to the main cathedral in Cairo — one of the deadliest attacks targeting the country’s religious minority in recent memory.

The bomb went off during Sunday Mass at a chapel adjacent to St. Mark’s Cathedral, seat of the ancient Coptic Orthodox church. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

The coffins of the victims were laid in front of the altar, with their names displayed on the side facing the congregation and on the church walls.

Candles and large big crosses made of white roses stood next to the coffins.

The spiritual leader of Egypt’s Orthodox Christians, Pope Tawadros II, led the service. At one point, the visibly distraught pontiff leaned on his staff and quietly prayed in front of the coffins. He had cut short a visit to Greece and flew home on Sunday after the bombing.

“God, protect us and your people from the conspiracies of the evil ones,” prayed the Coptic pope, who venerated the coffins with incense.

Only victims’ relatives were allowed to attend the service at the Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius church in the eastern Cairo suburb of Nasr City. Some of them screamed out in grief or shouted out a victim’s name, while the rest quietly sobbed or sat somberly during the service.

Outside the church, scores scuffled with security forces when they were barred from attending the service. An unspecified number of arrests were made, several witnesses said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they feared for their safety.

Read More:

http://dailytimes.ng/egypt-mourns-25-christians-killed-massive-church-bombing/

President Buhari Mourns Ex-Minister Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Government and people of Lagos State on the passing on of former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President.

Buhari also extended his condolences to all family members, friends and professional colleagues of the late acclaimed economist, eminent industrialist, playwright and promoter of arts and culture.

He urged them to be consoled by the fact that Gbadamosi’s contributions in these diverse fields of life would be appreciated for a long time.

Buhari also stated that the nation would remain ever grateful for the meritorious and exemplary roles Gbadamosi played not only as a minister, but also as a former chairman of the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

“There is no doubting the fact that the economic development of Nigeria was always uppermost in his mind,’’ the President reminisced about the ex-development expert.

The President prayed that the almighty God would grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest, and comfort his family.

Buhari Mourns Maduekwe, Niki Tobi, Elechi Amadi

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the families, government and people of Abia, Delta and Rivers States on the passing away of Ojo Maduekwe, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Justice Nikki Tobi, retired Supreme Court judge and Elechi Amadi, a literary icon.

A statement signed by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said Mr. Buhari received the news of Mr. Maduekwe’s passing with “profound sadness”.

“In all his years of service to Nigeria as a diplomat, minister, politician and ambassador, President Buhari says that Maduekwe was an ardent believer in the unity of Nigeria and gave all to that pursuit.

“As Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, the President affirms that Maduekwe’s relentless call to citizen diplomacy and for Nigerians to be treated with dignity across the globe will continue to inspire other patriotic people to promote a positive international image of the country,” the statement said.

President Buhari also paid tribute to Justice Nikki Tobi, describing him as a brave jurist who served Nigeria creditably and brought his many years of training, knowledge and wisdom to the Bench.

The president also joined the literary and academic community in mourning Mr. Amadi whose writings and postulations as a novelist, poet and playwright introduced many generations of the world to the vibrant Nigerian culture.

“In paying homage to the Man of Letters, visionary and venerated elder who dedicated his life to values of peace, equality, dignity and the reading culture in Nigeria, the President believes that the passing away of Amadi is as much a loss to Nigeria and Africa as it is to the world.

“The president affirms that the outpouring of grief and tribute across Nigeria and beyond is a testament of the high degree of respect and acceptance Amadi commanded around the world.

“He prays that God will grant the souls of the departed citizens eternal rest and comfort their families, friends and admirers.”

Credit: PremiumTimes

Buhari Mourns Emir Of Keffi, Muhammadu Chindo-Yamusa II

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Nasarawa State on the passing away of the Emir of Keffi and Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Alhaji Muhammadu Chindo-Yamusa II.

“President Buhari joins them and the educational community in mourning the highly revered traditional ruler who will be greatly remembered as an advocate of peace and unity as a prerequisite for meaningful development in the country,” a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said.

Mr. Adesina added, “The President believes that the late Emir will be greatly missed and remembered as one who generously contributed to national development through his fatherly counsel and advice to those in authority.

“President Buhari particularly recalls the late Emir’s appeal to Nigerians to support the Federal Government’s effort to counter insurgency and other social vices in the country as well as his advocacy for education as bedrock for development.

“The President prays that Almighty Allah will grant Alhaji Yamusa eternal rest and provide a successor who will do even more for the peace, development and prosperity of the people of Nasarawa State.”

Saraki Mourns Senate Clerk, Durojaiye

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Monday, described the death of the acting Clerk to the Senate, Mr. Adedotun Durojaiye, as a colossal loss, adding that he was a civil servant of repute.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, lamented that late Durojaiye passed on at a time when his experience was needed to move the Eight Senate to the next level.

He noted that the Lagos-born civil servant served selflessly and was dutiful in his contribution to the course of national development.

Saraki said, “We in the National Assembly and in particular, the Senate, received the news of the demise of Durojaiye with great shock.

“He was a vibrant and exceptional public officer. ?He was there at the inception of this Eight Senate. He conducted the elections of Presiding Officers. We will surely miss his vast experience, his vibrancy and commitment to legislative duties.”

The senate president, however, urged the family of the deceased to take solace in the fact that the late Durojaiye lived a life worthy of emulation.

Credit: Punch

Ex President Jonathan Mourns HID Awolowo

Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday mourned Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu  (HID) Awolowo, who passed on on Saturday at the age of 99 years, just two months away from her 100 birthday.

Jonathan said the present and future generations of Nigerian women and youths would miss Mrs.  Awolowo, who reportedly died in the company of her children after fervently praying for them and singing praises to God.

In a statement he signed, the former president expressed dismay at the news of the demise of Hannah, noting that she would eternally be remembered as the pillar and backbone of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, foremost nationalist and former Premier of the Western Region.

Jonathan urged all Nigerian women to emulate the virtues of Mrs. Awolowo, citing how she stood by her husband during his active days in politics; at the time of adversity and even after he passed away about 30 years.

Read More: thisdaylive

Ethiopia Mourns Christians Killed By ISIS

Ethiopia began three days of national mourning on Tuesday, with joint Christian and Muslim prayers for more than 20 Ethiopian Christians killed by Islamic State militants in Libya.

The murders have horrified Ethiopians and sparked global condemnation, including from Pope Francis who expressed his “great distress and sadness”.

“They are animals, they are outside of all humanity,” said Tesfaye Wolde, who saw his only brother Balcha Belete executed on a video released by the militants.

“I saw him kneeling, a masked man pointing a gun to my brother and his friend, with a knife to their throats.”

Abune Mathias, the patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, called the killings “repugnant”.

“We have a duty to raise our voice to tell the world that the killing of the innocent like animals is completely unacceptable,” he said.

Joint prayers were held along with Muslim leaders, led by Sheikh Mohammed Jemal, head of Ethiopia’s Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, who said the killing of people like “chickens” had no place in Islam.

The IS video released on Sunday, showed militants in Libya holding captives who they described as “followers of the cross from the enemy Ethiopian Church”.

Read More: yahoo

PDP Mourns Late Senator Chukwumerije

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is mourning the death of Senator Uche Chukwumerije, who passed on Sunday evening in Abuja. Chukwumerije died of lung cancer on Sunday at the Turkish Hospital in Abuja at the age of 75.

“We are indeed deeply saddened by the loss of this great Nigerian, a highly respected statesman who has made immense contributions to the development of our dear nation. Senator Chukuwumerije lived a patriotic Nigerian and a brilliant lawmaker who gave his all and discharged his responsibilities with unequaled forthrightness, loyalty and commitment to the service of our dear fatherland,” Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of the party, said.

He added that Chukwumerije was a democratic icon and an outstanding party-man who remained committed to the ideology of the PDP and the visions of the founding fathers.

“We will greatly miss him. Our hearts and thoughts go out to his family as we pray God to give them the fortitude to bear this great loss,” said Metuh.

Credit: CAJ News