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Enact laws on marriage list, dowry reduction, a Nigerian Pastor, Apostle John Okoriko urges State Govt

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*We are working on recommendation – A’Ibom Council of Chiefs

The reasons and causes of delayed marriages in Akwa Ibom State and other states in the NIGERIA were identified on Sunday by the founder and president of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Apostle John Okoriko.

Apostle John Okoriko, was one of the guest contributors in a panel discussion with the topic ” The negative impacts of exorbitant marriage list on Akwa Ibom State”, organized by the marriage committee of the Solid Rock Kingdom Church Headquarters, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

Apostle Okoriko in his contribution, said, tradition and culture hindered young ladies and men from getting married, noting that the exorbitant and high price of items required by some families in their marriage lists as tradition and culture, not only caused delay in marriages but health issues like depression, high blood pressure, mental stress and corruption.

The clergy advised that tradition and culture that promote exorbitant marriage list need to be discarded, saying because Akwa Ibom girls are not sale.

He recalled that, because of tradition, poor families years ago, instead of using money to train their wards in schools, instead were using resources gotten from borrowing, upright sale of lands and properties in building tombstones because of tradition and culture.

Apostle Okoriko called on christian families in the state to ensure that items in marriage list in the state are reduced to encourage marriages among young ladies and men in the state.

He called on Akwa Ibom State Government, to send executive bill to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for uniformity in marriage list, minimal required items and reduction in dowries. This, according to him, would reduce prostitution rate, looting of public funds to satisfy would-be father-in-laws and other crimes in the state.

The paramount ruler of Eastern Obolo, HRM Edidem, John Harry Etotor said greed and covetousness among parents caused delay in their children marriages.

The monarch recalled that in ancient days, men married their wives as a result of closeness to the father-in-laws, being hardworking and honest, noting that civilization, quest for wealth acquisition brought high cost in marriage and exorbitant marriage list.

He said, as a member of Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs and vice chairman of roles and ethics committee, that the council is concern about the high cost of marriage in the state, and that the committee is working on a recommendation to the Akwa Ibom State Government on marriage list issues.

HRM Edidem John Etotor, however, noted that ladies should not look for a man with wealth, cars and other earthly things before getting married. Urging men not to wait until they acquired all the wealth before getting married, seeing these as reasons for delayed marriages in the state.

Other panelists were Elder David Maurice Mkpokporo, Mary Richard Nnaewi, Elder Juana, Uduak Ukoh, Emmanuel Ukoh and anchored by Nkereuwem Ntuk, further identified poor economic situation in the country, unemployment, idol worshipping like “awa adia” and slaughtering of sheep, goat etc, for first daughters by some families, peer group influence, search for ready-made men and ladies, father-in-laws quest for prosperity and unnecessary tradition as some reasons for marriage delay in the state.

They harped on the Biblical standard, practice and teaching as the solution to the exorbitant marriage list in the state.

The Resident Pastor of Solid Rock Kingdom Church Headquarters, Uyo, Pastor Etop Nathaniel Okoko in his contribution, encouraged ladies to always intervene and talk to their parents to reduce the high dowries in the state.

He called on government, community leaders, family and village heads, churches to play their roles in marriage stability in the state.

In his homily, Pastor Etop Nathaniel spoke on the topic: “Follow a warrior” and took his text from Matt. 15:14.

He admonished christians to always follow a warrior, describing a warrior as someone who has found a path, an achiever, good leader, God-fearing individual, saying people we follow can influence our lives positively or negatively.

The cleric, said, sometime in Israel, they lack warriors until God caused a warrior to emerged among them, that some people because of ignorant and fear, failed to act as warriors.

He assured christian that God knows what they are passing through and would send them warriors.

According to Ikpaisong Reporters, the service featured song renditions, prayers, testimonies, ministration and distribution of free Bible translated in Ibibio language.

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FG Raises Duty Tour Allowances, Others for Public Officials

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The Federal Government has approved an upward review of allowances for officers in public service.

Some of the allowances under review include Duty Tour Allowance, transport allowances, uniform allowances, and overtime allowances.

The decision was reached at the 46th meeting of the National Council on Establishment, chaired by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack.

The NCE, which serves as the highest policy-making body for public service matters, is chaired by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and includes the Heads of Service from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The meeting was preceded by a two-day technical session chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office.

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Soun of Ogbomoso Urge Subjects Resident In Plateau To Promote Unity, Peace

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The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye has tasked the people of Ogbomosoland residing in Plateau State to unite and corporate with the government.of day both at the state and federal so as to move the Nation forward.

Oba Olaoye who gave the charge at grand reception organised to welcome him to Plateau State by the sins and daughters of Ogbomosho land residing in Plateau State advocated for national unity and peace of the nation.

” I urge you all to cooperate with the Government of the day and respect constituted authorities. “

” I implore that we sustain our exemplary good work ethics and strive to uphold the integrity of the land at all times,”

Olaoye urged the sons and daughters of Ogbomoso residing in the state to join hands in supporting his quest to develop the town.

He said, “To achieve this, it’s crucial that the indigenous people embrace their town with love and pride. I believe this is the foundation for meaningful growth.

He said to achieve a great country, Nigerians must commit to patriotism and rededication to the ideals of nation-building.

Speaking further, Oba Olaoye said” I did not know I was going to be King, until God revealed it to me, and that was the reason why I left the United States of America. “

Oba Olaoye emphasized that his aim is to put Ogbomosho in its rightful place and that there is the need for the people in the town to unite with him for the development of the town and that it was God that sent him to rebuild the city and to work for the progress of the city.

“ We are working to ensure that Ogbomosho would be different. In terms of development, Ogbomoso will be different in terms of peace, Ogbomoso will be different. I want you to know it is a new thing in Ogbomosoland.

“We cannot solely rely on the government. While the government will contribute significantly, much of the effort will come from us. It is time for us to unite, roll up our sleeves, and work together to develop our town.”

Speaking earlier the Asiwaju Yoruba of Plateau Chief Olajide Olagbemiro welcomed the Traditional ruler to the state and restated their commitment to peaceful coexistence with their host communities.

Jide said, “The Yourbas are peaceful people who obey constituted authorities .

We would continue to stay peaceful with our host communities, he added.

Our correspondent reports that the Soun of Ogbomosholand also paid a courtesy call on his Royal highness Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos.

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BREAKING: Namibia Elects First Female President

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Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party was declared winner Tuesday of last week’s disputed elections, ushering in the southern African country’s first woman president after a disputed vote that the main opposition has already said it does not recognise.

Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah took just over 57 percent of ballots followed by the candidate for the main opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) with 25.5 percent, the election authority announced.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, becomes the first woman to rule the mineral-rich southern African country that has been governed by the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) since independence in 1990.

The November 27 election was extended twice as logistical and technical problems, including a shortage of ballot papers, led to long queues.

Some voters gave up on the first day of voting after waiting for up to 12 hours.

The IPC has already said this was a deliberate attempt to frustrate voters and it would not accept the results of the elections.

Its presidential candidate Panduleni Itula, 67, said last week there were a “multitude of irregularities”.

No matter the result, “the IPC shall not recognise the outcome of that election”, he said on Saturday, the last day of the extended vote.

Opposition Rejects Poll
Itula said the IPC would “fight… to nullify the elections through the processes that are established within our electoral process”.

An organisation of southern African human rights lawyers serving as election monitors said the delays at the ballot box were intentional and widespread.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) admitted to failures in the organisation of the vote, including a shortage of ballot papers and the overheating of electronic tablets used to register voters.

Of the nearly 1.5 million registered voters in the sparsely populated country, nearly 77 percent had cast ballots in the presidential vote, it said Tuesday.

The election was seen as a key test for SWAPO after other liberation-era movements in the region have lost favour with young voters.

In the past six months, South Africa’s African National Congress lost its parliamentary majority and the Botswana Democratic Party was ousted after almost six decades in power.

Namibia is a major uranium and diamond exporter but analysts say not many of its nearly three million people have benefited from that wealth in terms of improved infrastructure and job opportunities.

Unemployment among 15- to 34-year-olds is estimated at 46 percent, according to the latest official figures from 2018, which is almost triple the national average.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, a SWAPO stalwart known by her initials NNN, will be among the few women leaders on the continent.

The conservative daughter of an Anglican pastor, she became vice president in February this year.

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