The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West, The Rev. Dr. James Olusola Odedeji has charged ministers of God to reflect the light of Christ not just on the pulpit but in every aspect of their lives and ministry.

Odedeji gave the charge on Sunday during the 2025 Trinity Priesthood Ordination held on St. Peter’s Day at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Egbeda, Lagos.

The solemn service, marked by hymns, liturgical processions, and thanksgiving, witnessed the ordination of three new priests into the holy order of priesthood: The Revd John Abiodun Lerry, The Revd Ezeh Isaiah Obi, and The Revd Godwin Okechukwu Fredrick.

“As priests, it will be your task to proclaim by word and deed the gospel of Jesus Christ; and to fashion your life in accordance with its precepts. You are to love and serve the people, care for all, declare God’s forgiveness to penitent sinners, and pronounce God’s blessings to all,” the Bishop said.

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In his sermon titled “Come, Follow Me”, drawn from Matthew 4:19, the Dean of the Cathedral, the Venerable Ebenezer Adewole, reminded the newly ordained priests that the call to priesthood demands total obedience, humility, and sacrifice.

“Just like Peter, you have been called to leave behind comfort and familiarity to embrace the demands of kingdom service. The Church is not looking for perfect men, but willing men, who are teachable, obedient, and led by the Spirit of God,” Adewole said.

The service, presided over by Bishop Odedeji, featured the laying of hands and prayers of ordination, supported by other clergymen, including the retired Bishop of Ilesa Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Sowale, and the Bishop of Egba West, Rt. Rev. Oludele Ogundeji.

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The oath of allegiance to God and the Church was administered by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Opeoluwa Ogunade, assisted by the Registrar, Mr. Bambo Adesanya, SAN.

In her congratulatory message, the Bishop’s wife, Dr. Lydia Odedeji prayed for God’s continued presence in the lives and ministries of the newly ordained priests. She also encouraged their wives to embrace the calling alongside their husbands.

“I am confident that God will continually uphold them and support their ministry in the Church. More importantly, we will continue to encourage their wives to be beacons of light with motherly care and support,” she said.

The ordination service, which came just days after the diaconate ordination for deacons, aligns with the Diocese’s vision to be a leading force in the Church of Nigeria through sound doctrine and evangelichal expansion. Clergy and laity from across the Diocese, along with family members and invited guests, were in attendance to witness the sacred occasion.

Reactions have continued trailing the alleged sealing of the Peoples Democratic Party’s national secretariat in Abuja by the police.

PDP leaders were scheduled to meet at the secretariat for the Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting on Monday. Inability to access the building forced the party to relocate to the Yar’Adua Centre, Central Business District, Abuja.

The police claimed officers were deployed to the secretariat to maintain law and order.

Reacting to this, PDP chieftain Dele Momodu accused some unnamed “bullies” of being the masterminds of the security blockade.

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“This is not how to use federal might… PDP has the right to hold its meetings peacefully… But some bullies don’t want that… Allah akbar,” he wrote on social media.

Braide Tammy called for the expulsion of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whom many accused of being the brain behind the blockade.

“PDP has allowed the interest of few persons to rubbish itself. Why are they afraid to expel the likes of Wike? Na their papa get the party,” Tammy wrote.

Olajide Balogun wrote: “BOT is anti-Wike & Pro-Atiku- change of venue, to Yar’dua centre is quite instructive.”

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Balogun also quoted the words of President Bola Tinubu at the National Assembly on June 12 on the pleasure he gets from watching the opposition in confusion.

“It is indeed a great pleasure to see you in disarray,” Balogun wrote.

Chinaka Ugwu stood in Wike’s defence, saying the party was culpable.

“What has Wike got to do with obeying Supreme Court ruling? Was Wike the one who announced there will be no NEC meeting but expanded caucus meeting today?” Ugwu wrote.

Another social media user named Onoriode described the PDP as a sinking ship. “A sinking ship soon to be found at the bottom of the sea,” Onoriode wrote.

The Federal Government announced on Monday that its newly launched electronic visa (e-visa) system, which became operational on May 1, has recorded significant success.

In the first six weeks alone, the system processed over 14,000 visa applications.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed this during a stakeholders’ sensitization workshop on key immigration reforms, held at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters in Abuja.

He also disclosed that two major digital platforms—the electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card and the electronic Temporary Work Permit—are set to go live within the coming week.

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“I can tell you within the first six weeks of the e-visa, we were able to process over 14,000 visa applications. Within six weeks. So, that by any standard in the world, that is a pass mark. It is a huge one and, of course, those little hitches, I tell you, within the next one to two weeks, will be history. We will correct them.

“We are already working. Even yesterday in my house, the CGIS was there. Technological partners were in my house. The DCG visa was in my house. All of us in my house. We worked for hours yesterday, Sunday, even in my conference room at home. We were working because we understand when you are in the process of innovation, there is no room, there is no opportunity for you to close your eyes. You must make sure it works. We are ready for the challenge”.

He said the Federal Government decided to come up with the e-visa system knowing that it is not just a migration management document but also an enhancer of economic growth.

“To me, when somebody needs a visa to Nigeria, and all he is looking for is who knows the minister, who knows the CG Immigration ,who knows the Perma.net Secretary, that is not how to grow a country. That is the truth.

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“You must make it easy while not compromising national security. There must be that strategy. So, the e-visa, I want to assure you, is here, and by the grace of God, is here to stay”, he stated.

“We are not yet where we want to be, but we are not where we were. There has been progress, and the simple truth is, we will continue to invest in our e-border governance and put more boots on the ground to make sure that every inch of the Nigerian border space is well protected”, he vowed.

On the e-CERPAC and TWP, the minister said the era of using TWP to circumvent CERPAC was gone.

“That era when people will come on TWP almost for free, keep renewing over and over, just to evade the law, is gone. So, for us, TWP is automated just like CERPAC is already automated”, he said.

He added that the elimination of manual archiving in the passport application processes has saved Nigeria about a billion Naira annually as the contract regarding that had since been cancelled.

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Explaining some of the recent digital innovations by the Service, Comptroller General of Immigration Service CGIS, Kemi Mandap said the new visa regime comes with its several innovative services, including the e-Visa Application Channel, e-CERPAC, Landing and Exit Cards and Temporary Work Permit.

“The already installed e-Gates at our major Airports and commissioned Command and Control Centre is positioned to house and harness these technologies. These digital solutions leverage technology to streamline processes, enhance security, and improve the overall experience for travellers and stakeholders”, she explained.

According to her, the e-Visa system allows for seamless online applications, eliminating the need for physical visits to immigration offices.

“The e-CERPAC integrates residence permits into a digital document, simplifying processes for foreign nationals residing in Nigeria. Our Temporary Work Permit has also been digitized, reducing processing times and increasing efficiency”, she added.