News
Homosexuality: Why I Resigned From United Methodist Church – Nigerian Bishop

A former Bishop of the United Methodist Church of Nigeria (UMCN), John-Wesley Yohanna, has revealed why he resigned from the UMCN.
The Nigerian Bishop in an interview with Vanguard, said he resigned when the church’s General Conference assent to LGBTQ, which according to him is against the dictate of God in the Bible and the Constitution of Nigeria.
He said as a young christian in his catechism class, he was never taught anything like homosexuality in Christianity, hence going ahead with the UMCN after approval of homosexuality would be sin against God and crime against the law of the land.
He said: “When I became a Christian and attended my catechism classes, I was taught nothing like homosexuality in Christianity. In fact, I was told and also read from the Bible, particularly Genesis Chapter 2, where God created man and woman. God saw that the man had no suitable companion and he gave man a woman. And since then, marriage has been that of a man and a woman.
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“It was not until later days when the EUB missions joined the Methodist Church in 1968 and we in Nigeria joined the United Methodist Church (UMC) in 1984/85 that we started hearing about homosexuality.
“But one good thing about those times is that we have always voted it out whenever we attended the General Conference. And it has been our stand in the Nigerian church that whenever homosexuality is legalized, we will no longer stay in a church that accepts it.
“Alas, in May 2024 during the last General Conference of the UMC, they voted to recognize LGBTQ in the church. As a clergy, I presided over seven Annual Conferences of the Nigerian Episcopal Area and all these Conferences had passed resolutions stating that they would vote to move to the Global Methodist Church (GMC), a breakaway faction of the UMC whose doctrine does not recognize LGBTQ.
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“Besides, the law of this country is against homosexuality and, as members of the church in Nigeria, we felt if we continue to remain in the UMC, we shall contravene the Constitution of our land and the country can hold us liable.
“It is for this reason we felt it is inappropriate to remain with the UMC, because to us the laws of our country takes precedence over any other Constitution, including that of the church. And In obedience to this, we aligned with the Global Methodist Church (GMC) whose doctrines match ours.
“On the first of June 2024, I informed the government of Taraba State and other relevant agencies about the new development from the UMC General Conference. And on the 29th of July, 2024, I sent my resignation letter to the Council of Bishops of the UMC, stating that I could not continue to serve as Bishop of the Nigerian Episcopal Area because the church has recognized/legalized LGBTQ. They responded by appreciating me for my meritorious service and accepted my resignation.”
News
Former Delta North senator Peter Nwaoboshi Dies

Peter Nwaoboshi, the former senator representing Delta north, is dead.
Details of the circumstances surrounding his death were unclear at the time of this report, but according to reports, the former senator died in Abuja on Friday, aged 68.
In a statement, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, expressed “profound grief” over the demise of the former lawmaker.
The governor described his demise as a monumental loss to the state, the Anioma nation, and Nigeria.
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In a condolence message signed by Festus Ahon, his chief press secretary (CPS), Oborevwori hailed the late Nwaoboshi as a dedicated son of Delta and a bold champion of Anioma interests, whose legacy in nation-building will endure.
The governor said the late senator’s distinguished tenure in the national assembly, particularly as chairman of the senate committee on Niger Delta affairs.
“Nwaoboshi lived a life of service to his people, his party, and the country, bequeathing a heritage of bravery, loyalty, and commitment to public duty,” Oborevwori said.
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“On behalf of the Delta State government and people, I mourn my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi.
“I extend deepest condolences to his family, the Anioma people, members of the All Progressives Congress, and everyone touched by his life.
“May God grant his soul peaceful rest and comfort to all who grieve this irreplaceable loss.”
News
Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

The Indoor Sports Hall in Benin City came alive on Wednesday as the Edo State Sports Commission rolled out the drums to celebrate the first anniversary in office of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele. Management, staff, coaches and athletes gathered in an atmosphere charged with pride, reflection and optimism.
The colourful ceremony drew executives and members of various sports associations, officials of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders in Edo sports.
In her welcome address, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. A. P. Amenze, praised Hon. Enabulele for what she described as focused and purposeful leadership. She said the past year had seen renewed confidence, discipline and energy return to the state’s sports ecosystem.
Adding excitement to the event were exhibition bouts and demonstrations by the Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo and Judo associations, staged in honour of the Executive Chairman.
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Speaking for SWAN Edo State, Chairman Comrade Kehinde Osagiede commended Hon. Enabulele’s open-door leadership style and consistent support for sports development. He noted that the Commission had effectively driven Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “Catch Them Young” policy through practical grassroots programmes that identify and groom young talents across the state.
In recognition of his contributions to sports development and media relations, Comrade Osagiede conferred the Patronship of SWAN Edo State on Hon. Enabulele and presented him with a special anniversary card.
Goodwill messages followed from Executive Directors of the Commission, including Hon. Frank Ilaboya (Edo North), Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON (Edo South), Barr. Anthony Ikuenobe (Edo Central), and Mrs. Sabrina Chikere, Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations. Representatives of coaches, athletes and sports associations also took turns to acknowledge the progress recorded under the current leadership.
In his stewardship address, Hon. Enabulele expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa for the trust placed in him, noting that their backing and shared vision had driven the Commission’s achievements.
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He highlighted Team Edo’s third-place finish at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, where the state recorded its best-ever outing with 79 medals—33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze—reinforcing Edo’s reputation as a national sports powerhouse.
The Chairman also pointed to the impact of inclusive and grassroots sports programmes, citing Favour Ojeabu, a visually impaired para-cyclist who won three gold medals to emerge Africa’s champion at the African Track Para-Cycling Championship in Egypt.
Other milestones listed included outstanding performances by Edo para powerlifters on the international stage, historic achievements in cricket, weightlifting, cycling, judo and deaf athletics, as well as structural reforms such as the repositioning of Bendel Insurance FC and deeper investment in grassroots sports development.
Cultural performances added colour and tradition to the celebration, as stakeholders closed the event united in their assessment of the past year as a truly transformative period for sports development in Edo State.
News
Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

The Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Dr. Dennis Otuaro has charged media practitioners particularly members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to promote ethical journalism through their reportage.
He gave the charge in Warri on Wednesday during the 2nd Annual Ijaw Media Conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF).
Represented by Princewill Binebai, spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Otuaro while stating that the Niger Delta stories have been told in such a way that is quite different from what is obtainable in the real sense, said this, IPF must do everything possible to correct.
The administrator added: “I am happy that Ijaw journalists have boldly come out together to champion the Ijaw struggle in a very dynamic perspective”.
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“The Ijaw story was misrepresented over the years, but IPF’s emergence had corrected this error and the story is gradually changing for better.”
Otuaro, however, challenged Ijaw media practitioners to be objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage to correct many years anomalies of the Ijaw struggle.
He admonished members of IPF to see themselves as brothers and love one another in the discharge of their activities to achieve a common goal.
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