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Nelson Mandela honoured in Ecumenical Centre
GENEVA – Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty, permanent representative of South Africa to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, recalled his friend and former president Nelson Mandela in a memorial service on 16 December at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva.
The service of prayer, remembrance and thanksgiving for Mandela’s life was sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and led by participants from the WCC, ACT Alliance, Conference of European Churches, Lutheran World Federation, World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Student Christian Federation and the World YWCA.
In welcoming remarks, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit noted that the ecumenical movement as a whole lent support to Nelson Mandela and the anti-apartheid movement for many decades. Tveit and other religious leaders from throughout the world travelled to South Africa over the past ten days, praying with the family and nation.
“In a remarkable way, Mandela gathered the whole world to celebrate the best and shared values of human beings, also in the moment of his death. This was a miracle in itself, a new sign of hope he gave to the world,” he said.
Tveit recalled the challenge issued by Archbishop Desmond Tutu at last week’s memorial celebration in a Johannesburg stadium, “Do you commit yourselves to the values of Nelson Mandela?”
“None of us can be like him,” said Tveit. “But we can follow him. We all can learn from him.”
Dr Agnes Abuom of Kenya, newly elected moderator of the WCC Central Committee, recalled Mandela as “the model and epitome of the full liberation we seek.” She compared him to Joseph in the biblical book of Genesis, capable of forgiving those who had sold him into decades of slavery. Even so, “supporting Nelson Mandela was not always fashionable.”
Abuom said that “Mandela was a gift from the continent of Africa to the whole world”, attracting heads of state and government from more than half the nations and providing once again the sense of “a new global consciousness”.
Ambassador Minty said that the Ecumenical Centre service on Monday 16 December happened to fall on a South African holiday, the Day of Reconciliation. This year, a monumental statue of Mandela is being unveiled in South Africa.
Minty was a schoolboy when he first met Mandela in the 1950s. He reminisced him, both as a great leader and as a person with genuine concern for all people he met.
He paid tribute to the many individuals, communities and institutions that struggled against apartheid over many years. He offered thanks in particular to the “very, very prophetic role” played by the WCC and its Programme to Combat Racism (PCR). He praised church leaders, including former WCC general secretary Philip Potter, the first PCR director Baldwin Sjollema, as well as Archbishop Desmond Tutu who chaired the national Truth and Reconciliation Commission during Mandela’s presidency.
Minty also honoured the memory of Archbishop Trevor Huddleston from the Church of England, “a lifelong friend to Nelson Mandela” who “played a kind of Gandhian role” in the anti-apartheid movement.
Minty concluded, “We all have the responsibility to answer for ourselves how we can take up the legacy that Nelson Mandela leaves us with. And how can we all live up to that great legacy and create or turn hope into reality?”
Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa has been signed up by Jaiz Bank as a brand ambassador.
An elated Musa made the disclosure in a statement on his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X on Thursday.
The Kano Pillars striker urged his fans to troop to Jaiz Bank to do business for trusting him with the new role.
He exclaimed, “And to my amazing fans – if you want to support me, make sure to head over to Jaiz Bank and open your accounts with them today! ”
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He wrote, “✨Alhamdulillah✨ I am SO excited to announce that I’ve officially joined Jaiz Bank as their newest ambassador! 🎉💼
“A huge thank you to @JaizBankNG for trusting me and allowing me to be a part of this amazing journey! 🙏🏼💚 It’s an honor to represent a brand that believes in growth, security, and financial empowerment.
“I can’t wait to share all the incredible things we’ll be doing together! 🚀💡
And to my amazing fans – if you want to support me, make sure to head over to Jaiz Bank and open your accounts with them today! Let’s grow together! 💪🏼🔑
“@JaizBankNG is a non interest Financial institution poised with a mission to make life better through ethical Finance. 👌👌”
#NewBeginnings #BankWithJaizBank #PartneredUp #TeamJaizBank”
On November 20, 2024, Kenya’s First Lady, Rachel Ruto, celebrated her 56th birthday and her husband President William Ruto publicly expressed his love and appreciation for his wife on this special day, wishing her well.
The birthday celebrations were marked by an outpouring of goodwill from political figures, media, and citizens across Kenya, who praised her for her grace, leadership, and significant contributions to society, particularly through initiatives like the Joyful Women Organisation, which aims to empower rural women.
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The day was characterized by a collective acknowledgment of her role as a national figure dedicated to community upliftment.
In a heartfelt message, President William Ruto took to social media, writing, “Happy birthday my love, @MamaRachelRuto. Continue being a blessing to me and our children. Mungu akubariki sana,” which translates to “God bless you abundantly.”
Other prominent leaders also extended their wishes to the First Lady, with Anne Waiguru, EGH, OGW, Governor of Kirinyaga County, tweeting, “Happy Birthday First Lady,” further showing the respect and admiration for Rachel Ruto’s leadership and impact.
A gas cylinder explosion at a filling station in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State has resulted in significant damage to six vehicles, according to a statement from the Katsina State Police Command.
The command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, confirmed the incident, which occurred on Friday, November 15, 2024.
He explained that a loud explosion alerted police operatives from the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters. Responding promptly, the Divisional Police Officer led a team to the site, supported by military personnel.
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“Upon arrival, operatives found a truck loaded with gas cylinders engulfed in flames at Tamal filling station, along Kagadama-Magamar Jibia Road,” Sadiq-Aliyu stated. The joint team acted swiftly, deploying measures to protect lives and limit property damage. Their efforts successfully extinguished the fire.
The spokesperson added, “Six motor vehicles were significantly affected by the fire incident, but fortunately, no life was lost.”
State Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, has directed a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the explosion. Updates on the findings will be provided as investigations progress.
This incident highlights the need for heightened safety measures at gas filling stations to prevent such occurrences.
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