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July 5, 2022

July 5, 2022July 5, 2022 IFMNEWS

Another Catholic Priest Kidnapped In Kaduna

Bandits on Monday abducted a catholic priest, Father Emmanuel Silas of the St. Charles Catholic Church, Zambina, in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The report of his abduction is contained in a statement made available by the Chancellor, Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo.

Okolo said Father Emmanuel Silas’ abduction was confirmed when he failed to turn up for morning Mass. He equally called for calm and saying legitimate processes would be followed to ensure his safe and quick release.

The statement reads: “It is with great pain that we announce to you the kidnapping of our Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Silas. The sad event is believed to have occurred in the early hours of July 04, 2022, when he could not turn up for morning Mass.

“He was abducted from the parish rectory at St. Charles Catholic Church, Zambina, in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“While we solicit for an intense prayer for his quick and safe release, we equally
wish to call on all and sundry to refrain from taking the laws into their hands. We
will use every legitimate means to ensure his quick and safe release.

“May Jesus crucified on the Cross, listen to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His Priest and all other kidnapped persons.”

Fr. Emmanuel Silas now joins the list of catholic priests who have been kidnapped in recent times in what has now become a worrying trend.

Ondo Worshippers Rescued From Church Basement Refuse To Return Home

In Ondo state, some of the 77 worshippers rescued from the basement of a church have refused to be reunited with their families.

The worshippers, including children, were rescued from a basement on the premises of The Whole Bible Believers’ Church, also known as Ondo Church, in the Valentino area of Ondo Town.

Parents whose children were in the congregation without their consent had reported the case to the police.

The church was said to be holding a seven-day retreat when the police stormed its premises last Friday.

The victims, comprising 26 children, eight teenagers, and 43 adults were rescued as some of them were reportedly held for about three weeks.

Following their rescue, parents, and relatives of the victims have been visiting the office of the Criminal Investigation Department of the police in Akure to take away their loved ones but met resistance from some of them who said they would not leave without their pastors

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Ondo, Dr Juliana Osadahun and the Police Spokesperson in the state, Funmi Odunlami said the government is determined to get to the root of the matter.

Speaking to the news station, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Ondo, Dr Juliana Osadahun said the government will meet with the police and relatives of the victims to get a proper briefing on the incident and take appropriate actions.

Lagos Government Shuts School Over 5-Yr-Old Pupil Who Drowned

The Lagos State Government has announced the closure of a school owned in the state by the Redeemed Christian Church of God over the drowning of a five-year-old pupil, Chidera Eze.

The pupil had reportedly drowned in May during a swimming lesson organized by the school at a private facility in the Ikeja area of the city.

A statement by the Lagos state government noted that further investigation into the school revealed that it was yet to complete its registration, and therefore, not yet an approved school.

The statement which was signed by the Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, also talked about an administrative investigation of its operations and procedures as well as the conduct of its officials – in line with schools’ safety standards and guidelines.”

She said the police are also investigating the matter.

Adefisayo noted that the school would remain closed, “pending an administrative investigation of its operations and procedures as well as the conduct of its officials – in line with schools’ safety standards and guidelines.

“The investigation is sequel to the death of a five-year-old pupil, who is suspected to have drowned during a swimming lesson while in the custody of the school. The police are investigating the matter.

“A preliminary probe by the Office of Education Quality Assurance of the Ministry has shown that the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba, is yet to conclude its registration and is, therefore, not yet an approved school.

“The Ministry is concerned about the safety of the pupils, hence the need for intervention. The school will remain closed until all the required approval processes are concluded.

“Parents are advised to note the closure and wait for the conclusion of the administrative investigation.”

NAFDAC Shuts 10 Water Factories In Ondo

Ten packaged water enterprises in Ondo State have been sealed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) due to non-compliance with the rules and requirements.

This information was provided in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Akure by Mr. Benu Philip, the NAFDAC State Coordinator for Ondo.

According to Philip, the impacted businesses, which are dispersed around the state, had their locations blocked between January and June.

He clarified that all of the impacted businesses were manufacturing in an unsanitary atmosphere and using licenses that had expired.

“In addition to locking the facilities, the companies will pay an administrative charge for late renewal of their registration licence and submit necessary documents for the renewal process,” he said

The license granted is not permanent, according to Philip, who added that renewal intervals should be maintained to prevent regulatory pause.

He encouraged Nigerians to constantly check sachet and bottled water for the NAFDAC registration number, batch information, and date marks.

“Our mandate, specifically, is to ensure, regulate and control the manufacturing of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and chemicals, which we refer to as regulated products.

“What we do in Ondo State majorly is to engage the stakeholders to keep them abreast of our mandate, to ensure that they follow the rules.

“Most of the packaged water, popularly called “pure water”, that I know of in Ondo State since I came on board, have been operating with expired licence.

“The licence is the marketing authorisation that enables you to sell your product in the market as verified and safe for consumption.

“Once you have that number on your certificate, it shows that you have gone through the regulatory processes to ensure that you make safe products to the consuming public but it is not forever; it has a timeline,” he said.

He said the agency will continue to collaborate with other agencies to ensure its set goals and targets were achieved.

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

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