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‘Everybody Becoming Poor,’ Onaiyekan Laments, Seeks Policy Review To Reverse Economic Hardship

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The former Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has called for a policy review to minimise the current economic hardship in the country.

He made the call in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of a Marian Concert, organised to mark the 2024 feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Abuja.

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The concert which was orgnaised by the Madonna Choir of St. Charles Lwanga parish and partner societies was titled “The Four Dogmas of the Blessed Virgin Mary.’’

Onaiyekan who decried the economic hardship in the country, urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for leaders at all levels to always make the right decisions to curb the tension in the land.

“if the nation is ruled well, there is more likely to be peace, by ruling well we mean, when there is a sense of justice and equity; that our common resources are equitably distributed not equally because we cannot all have the same salary.

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“There is a limit to what that people can handle. You can’t tell someone to be patient with poverty while we see the people who are supposed to address our poverty, live flamboyantly, building huge mansions and having fleets of cars without caring how they are fueled whereas, the rest of us are queuing to get a few litres of fuel,” he said.

He said: “There’s need to review some of the policies that are giving rise to the kind of pain and poverty that we are not familiar with, we are not used to this, the middle class is now being completely whipped out, everybody is now becoming poor.

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“We are praying especially now that we are celebrating a Marian Concert, that Mother Mary who is the Queen of Peace and Queen of Nigeria, will help us handle the nation so everyone will live in peace with one another and enjoy the good that God has given to this country”.

In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Thomas Edogbanya urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the face of difficulties bedeviling the country.

READ ALSO: Man Declared Wanted For ‘Stealing Far’ Belonging To EFCC

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He said that Mary, whose nativity the concert celebrated, was faced with so many setbacks in life but her faith and hope in God never failed.

“That means we can have setbacks in our lives, but the hope that at the birth of our mother Mary will give us peace no matter how difficult things are, especially for Nigerians, there is hope that the future will be bright.

“The best has been brought through that is the saviour of the world, that is the hope of every Christian it is not the moment we celebrate but the future,” he said.

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On his part, the Music Director, Mr Charles Arua, said that the concert was in honour of the roles of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the salvation of humanity.

According to him, Mary who is the mother of Jesus Christ is not celebrated enough, hence, the need to organise the concert to mark her birthday.

READ ALSO: Four US Black Rights Activists Convicted Over Russian Ties

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“We are celebrating a great woman who also had her tribulations, especially at the birth of Jesus Christ and being there when Christ suffered and died at Calvary.

“The greatest takeaway here is that no matter the challenges you are passing through, once you seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the problem will be solved.

“I use this opportunity to encourage everybody, when you have any problem and you believe in the power of the rosary, the power of the intercession of our blessed mother, say the rosary, go to her,” he said.

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According to him, as she did at Cana at the wedding feast, she will intercede for you, I am a living witness to that.

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17-year-old Nigerian Named World Best In English At 2025 TeenEagle Finals In London

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…Outperforms over 20,000 participants from 69 countries

Nafisa Aminu, a 17-year-old student of Tulip International College, Yobe State, has emerged world’s best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals.

The 17-year-old was named the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.

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The TeenEagle competition is an internationally recognised contest that tests English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills, attracting students from both English-speaking and non-English-speaking nations.

Nafisa’s triumph was confirmed in a statement by the head of her family, Hassan Salifu, who attributed her success to “dedication, discipline, and the enabling support of the state government.”

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Representing Nigeria, Nafisa outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, a historic feat that has thrust her into the global academic spotlight and brought honour to Nigeria.

 

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FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General

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The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections.

The announcement was made in a press statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, on Tuesday.

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“The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 Controllers of Corrections to the prestigious rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections,” the statement read.

Abubakar noted that the promotions were made in line with CDCFIB’s commitment to “merit-based advancement, professional excellence, and the continuous strengthening of leadership within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”

READ ALSO:Customs Intercepts N1.7bn Falsely Declared Goods Across South-West Zone

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“Among the newly promoted officers are twenty-seven general duty officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and operational competence in various formations across the country.

“In addition, three professional officers have also been elevated in recognition of their outstanding service and specialized contributions in the areas of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Public Health,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the promotion exercise was said to align with the ongoing reforms in the Service, a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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The statement credited the reform momentum to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose efforts were described as “unwavering” and “unprecedented.”

READ ALSO:Court Strips Transport Minister, CRFFN Regulatory Power Over Licensed Customs

Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated the newly promoted officers, charging them to rise to the responsibilities of their new roles.

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“I urge them to redouble their effort to service delivery, strategic leadership, and the core mandates of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” he said.

He further stressed that the promotions are not merely rewards for past service but “a call to higher responsibility in line with global best practices in correctional management.”

“The Service remains committed to building a motivated, disciplined, and professional workforce capable of meeting the complex demands of modern corrections and public safety,” Nwakuche added.

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Adeleke Flies To US For Davido’s Wedding

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Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has travelled to the United States to attend the wedding ceremony of his nephew and music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Recall, Davido confirmed that he and his wife, Chioma Avril Rowland, will have their white wedding in Miami, Florida, in August 2025.

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He made the announcement during an interview on The Breakfast Club, aired on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed Adeleke’s trip in a statement issued on Tuesday, in response to concerns raised by the opposition All Progressives Congress over the governor’s whereabouts.

READ ALSO:Davido Thrills In Toronto, Brooklyn As US Tour Heats Up

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Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family’s private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke.

“His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family.

“Those unable to attend may join virtually,” Rasheed stated.

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He noted that Adeleke had not taken any official vacation since assuming office in November 2022 and said the current trip would be short.

READ ALSO:Davido Withdraws From 50 Cent’s London Concert

Additionally, from the November 2022 date, the governor has not gone on official vacation.

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“For this current trip, the Governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions.

“Meanwhile, the Governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government,” Rasheed added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Osun APC had accused Adeleke of leaving the state without informing residents or formally transmitting power to his deputy. The party described the governor’s absence as “abnormal.”

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READ ALSO:Davido, Asa To Perform At National Sports Festival’s Opening Ceremony In Abeokuta

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party said, “The question being asked in hushed tones in some public places, inside commercial buses and by motorcycle riders and their passengers in the state, is where could be the whereabouts of their governor for this long.

“As the governor of all and sundry, we as a party need to know the whereabouts of the governor and who has been holding fort for him during his absence from the state since two weeks ago.

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“Did the governor duly transmit power to his deputy who is constitutionally covered to temporarily step into the shoes of his principal in his absence?”

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