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Row Over Nigerian Movie, Pope Kicks

Published

3 years ago

April 3, 2022

…Catholics Want Youtube To Pull Down Movie

…Why I Made Controversial Film – Producer

Ugochukwu Favour- Mayor, producer of the controversial Nollywood movie on YouTube, The Priest’s War, otherwise known as ‘The Cathedral’, which caught the attention of the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has revealed why he made the movie, saying “it’s a true life story that needs to be documented.”

In a chat with Sunday Vanguard, Favour-Mayor said the incident happened in Ahiara, Mbaise in Imo State where he hails, and as a son of the soil, he owes it as a duty to document the story for prosperity.

“This is a true life story. But as a creative individual, I had to add a twist to it for viewers to watch and enjoy”, he said.

“Certain events are not specific as to exactly how it happened. But I managed to use the theme to create something that viewers would see and appreciate.

“Already, you know about the Ahiara diocesan crisis that has lingered for years now.

“As a son of the soil who hails from there, when I heard about the crisis, I said to myself that this would be nice if the story can be documented and sent out there.

“I didn’t expect that it would make waves this much. Every day, I wake up to news of how people are referring to it.

“A lot of people feel that it exposes the politics in the church so much, while some others feel that the movie is coming to put an end to certain issues affecting the church.

“Whichever way, it feels good to have something that repairs societal ills”.

Favour-Mayor said making the movie took a toll on him.

“Despite that, I’m grateful that it came out well.”

Pope Francis recently reacted to the movie after it was released online which also made movie buffs to tag the storyline as relational with that of Ahiara’s episcopal crisis.

In a tweet, Pope Francis wrote: “The world needs more light, not the kind of action displayed in the Nigerian movie, #ThePriestsWar.

“Only in love, in communion and in fraternity can we shine God’s light. The content of that movie shines the light of our true character that calls for a readdress and change.”

Sunday Vanguard recalls that activities in the Ahiara Diocese, including Priestly/Diaconate Ordinations, and other Catholic rituals, were stagnant following the death of Bishop Victor Adibe Chikwe in 2010.

Since then, there was unrest and holy war which erupted with the posting of Bishop Okpaleke as the Cathedral administrator, who was rejected by the majority of Mbaise nation, hence his resignation and appointment of Bishop Ugorji by the Papacy.

Meanwhile, Sunday Vanguard gathered that the Catholic community in Nigeria has called on YouTube to pull down the controversial movie.

Related Topics:Controversial Film Pope Francis

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News

FG Makes History Compulsory Subject In Primary, Secondary Schools

Published

1 hour ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has announced the reintroduction of Nigerian History as a compulsory subject from primary to senior secondary school, 16 years after it was removed from the curriculum in 2009, under the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced this in a statement posted on its X handle on Wednesday.

It said the reintroduction aimed at strengthening national identity, unity, and patriotism among diverse citizens.

“For the first time in decades, Nigerian pupils will study History continuously from Primary 1 to JSS3, while SSS1–3 students will take the new Civic and Heritage Studies, integrating History with Civic Education.

“Primary 1–6: Pupils will learn about Nigeria’s origins, heroes, rulers, culture, politics, economy, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance.

“JSS1–3: Students will study civilisations, empires, trade, European contacts, amalgamation, independence, democracy, and civic values,” the statement read.

The Ministry said the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, CON, together with the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing the reform.

“They emphasised that History is not merely a record of the past, but a vital foundation for shaping responsible and patriotic citizens.”

According to the Ministers, the reform is a priceless gift to the nation, reconnecting children with their roots while inspiring pride, unity, and commitment to national development.

The Ministry has released the revised curriculum and will retrain teachers, provide resources, and strengthen monitoring.

The former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua-led government in 2009 removed history from Nigeria’s basic education curriculum.

Then, it was justified that students were avoiding it with the claim that there were few jobs for history graduates, and that there was dearth of history teachers.

In 2022, the Ministry of Education under former Minister Adamu Adamu inaugurated the reintroduction of the subject.

The Ministry also trained history teachers at the basic education level in Abuja.

However, history has always remained optional in the few schools that offer it.

News

Police Announce Burial Arrangements For Ex-IG Arase

Published

1 hour ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has released the burial arrangements for former Inspector-General of Police Solomon Ehigiator Arase, who died on August 31, 2025, at the age of 69.

Arase, who served as the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, was described by the Force as a dedicated officer remembered for his leadership, philanthropy and commitment to police reforms.

According to the programme of events signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, released on Wednesday, the burial rites will begin in Abuja on September 24 with a Day of Tribute at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi.

A requiem mass will follow on September 26 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, while a lying-in-state is scheduled for September 27 at his Abuja residence. His body will then depart for Benin City, Edo State.

In his hometown, Sabongida Ora, a candlelight procession is slated for September 29.

A valedictory session organised by the Edo State judiciary and the Nigerian Bar Association will hold at the Edo State High Court, Benin, on October 2.

Other activities include a service of songs at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin, on October 2, followed by a family lying-in-state.

The funeral mass will take place on October 3 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, after which interment will be held at his private residence in Benin City.

A reception is planned at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, while a thanksgiving mass will round off the events on October 5.

Arase, who held national honours including CFR, and was also a PhD holder, was appointed Inspector-General of Police in April 2015 and retired in June 2016.

He died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.

News

Lagos Begins Monitoring As Schools Resume

Published

1 hour ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Education Quality Assurance, has commenced the monitoring of schools for compliance with standards as students resumed activities this week.

The OEQA spokesperson, Adepeju Adeyemi, said in a Wednesday statement sent to newsmen that the inspection began on Monday across the state for schools below the tertiary level.

The monitoring team, led by the Coordinating Director of OEQA, Remi Abdul, visited several schools, including Dolphin Senior High School, Lagos Island, where the team was received by the Principal/Director, Comfort Agunlejika.

Abdul explained that the purpose of the monitoring was to ensure compliance with the approved resumption date as stated in the Year 2025/2026 Harmonised Academic Calendar.

The PUNCH reports that basic and secondary schools in Lagos resumed on September 15, 2025, for the First Term of the Y2025/2026 session.

According to the approved 2025/2026 harmonised calendar made available to our correspondent, the First Half of the term is scheduled for September 15 to October 31, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. The second half will commence from November 10 to December 19, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. In between the halves are Open Day and Mid-Term Break.

Abdul noted that the monitoring team deployed was also verifying whether school administrators held pre-resumption meetings and whether key teaching and statutory records, such as lesson notes, diaries, and makeshift attendance registers, were in place for the smooth take-off of the new academic session.

“While addressing SSS 3 students, Abdul encouraged them to take their academics seriously, noting that how well they perform this term would determine their transition to higher education. He urged them to read well, stay focused, avoid skipping classes and begin early preparation for their WASSCE examinations,” the statement said.

He also encouraged teachers to remain dedicated and committed to delivering quality education.