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50th Episcopal Anniversary/90th Birthday: Obaseki, Onaiyekan Shower Encomiums On Ekpu

Published

4 years ago

November 10, 2021

The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and former Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Wednesday, showered encomiums on Archbishop emeritus, Most Rev (Dr) Patrick Ekpu, describing him as one of those who laid foundation for modern Catholic Church in Nigeria.

Obaseki who spoke at a service to mark the 50th Episcopal anniversary and 90th birthday of Ekpu at St Paul Catholic Church, Benin City ,described the Archbishop emeritus as one who served in various local communities as a young priest who understands the customs of the people and bringing them to God.

He said, “We will continue to tap from his wisdom to guide us as we pass through difficult times. He was a great patriot, a pious priest, visionary bishop, a rare archbishop, a living legend, a modest teacher, an audacious founder.”

Delivering a homily, Onaiyekan said the era Archbishop emeritus laid foundation for modern Catholic Church in Nigeria coincided with the Nigerianisation policy of the country in the early seventies.

He added that it was a time the Catholic was also undergoing reformation which gave room for Nigerians to take over the leadership of the church.

He named Archbishops Joseph Ukpo, late Ephraim Obot late Alexius Makuoze among others who laid foundation for modern Catholic Church in Nigeria.

He said: “The year 1971 was a tremendous year for the church in Nigeria when seven young Nigerian priests were appointed bishops.

“Our young bishop took the helms of leadership of their dioceses at a delicate period in the history of the church.

“It was just a few years after the end of the second Vatican council, a period of uncertainty and instability, as the church groped her way to implement the truly revolutionary changes that the council had decreed very significant. Among such changes was the need to adapt the church to the realities of our times and the realities of our native laws and customs in every aspect of church life.

“It was also the era of local music and instrument. It was the era of review of the administrative structure.

“The bishop had to ensure that all these were done without departing from the essence of our catholic faith and tradition.

“We can now safely say that our young bishops proved themselves better qualified to do this than any foreign born.

“The young bishops were plunged into a challenging socio-political period. Many wise men in the world’s way but of little faith did not expect them to successfully cope with the demand of their high office, but God’s ways are not our ways.

“Looking back now, 50 years down the line, we can see that the Holy Spirit did not make a mistake.

“They have led the churche entrusted to their care successfully until their meritorious retirement at the full age of 75. Not every former office holder deserves the title emeritus.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Archbishop of Benin Diocese and president, Conference of Catholic Bishops, His Grace, Dr Augustine Akubeze said Ekpu invested in human development and the growth of the people of God.

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Insecurity: US Congressman Riley Moore Reveals Trump’s Mission In Nigeria

Published

8 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

US Congressman Riley Moore has dismissed insinuations that President Donald Trump is attempting to bring war to Nigeria.

Moore made the remark in a post on his verified X handle on Monday.

His comments followed a US military airstrike on a terrorist enclave in north-west Nigeria on Christmas Day, reportedly carried out on the directive of President Trump.

“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria, he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death.

“The strikes against ISIS on Christmas, in coordination with the Nigerian government, have given hope to the Christians in Nigeria,” he said.

Recall that the lawmaker had previously stated that President Trump is focused on ending the killing of Christians in Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Moore led a US delegation on a fact-finding mission into alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria some weeks ago.

During his brief stay in the country, Moore travelled to Benue State, where he interfaced with religious and traditional leaders, as well as internally displaced persons.

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Russia Calls up 135,000 Military Personnel

Published

15 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

Russia has enlisted 135,000 conscripts for military service in 2026, following the conclusion of the autumn army draft by the Defense Ministry.

A statement on Monday said most personnel have been assigned to training units and military formations where they will “get a military specialty and learn to operate modern military hardware.”

The conscripts can choose to serve in any of the various military branches and armed services after an assessment of their health condition and the results of psychological examinations.

READ ALSO:Russian Strike On Odesa Region Kills Eight, Injures 27

The ministry disclosed that 680 recruits have joined scientific and research-production units, while 240 from the country’s national teams in Olympic disciplines joined sports companies.

However, military personnel who have served the established term of military service have been discharged and sent to their places of residence.

The latest enlistment confirms Russia is shoring up its troops deployed to the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine ahead of the new year.

A fortnight ago, European leaders reaffirmed their pledge to form a multinational force–under the aegis of the Coalition of the Willing–to assist Ukraine in securing land, skies, and seas.

The pledge is one of the six commitments the EU and heads of state developed for Ukraine’s security and economic recovery support measures.

In an interview with TASS on Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned Europe’s insistence on sending military forces to Ukraine.

“We have said many times that our Armed Forces would view them as a legitimate target,” he said, warning that anyone who attacks Russia would face “a devastating blow.”

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How Our Airstrikes Stopped Christmas Attacks In Nigeria — US Lawmaker

Published

3 days ago

December 27, 2025

Editor

Riley Moore, a member of the United States House of Representatives from West Virginia’s 2nd District, has linked the absence of Christmas attacks in Nigeria this year to US military airstrikes carried out against Islamist militants on Christmas Day.

In a post on his official X account on Saturday, Moore contrasted the situation with the past two Christmas seasons, during which he claimed Christians were killed in attacks across parts of Nigeria.

The lawmaker noted that this year’s response targeted extremist groups instead of marking another period of violence.

He added that US forces acted decisively against militants in coordination with the Nigerian government.

“For the past two Christmases, Christians have been murdered in Nigeria. This year, thanks to @POTUS, Radical Islamic Terrorists were on the receiving end of 12 Tomahawk missiles as a present.

“The successful strikes on ISIS, in coordination with the Nigerian government, are just the first step to secure the country and end the slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Moore wrote.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that American forces had conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in north-western Nigeria.

Trump, who spoke via his Truth Social platform, warned that more attacks would follow if the militants continued killing Christians, adding that the Department of War executed numerous “perfect strikes.”