Author: Vincent Osuwo

The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square. This was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Holy See Press Office. According to the statement, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, “Will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.” It added, “The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio. The late Pope Francis’ body will then be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the…

Opialu Fabian, a security expert and public affairs analyst, has lambasted the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, for the country’s deteriorating security, despite President Bola Tinubu’s strong support. On Monday, Fabian praised Tinubu’s efforts and political resolve, particularly for designating the greatest budgeted provision for security in Nigerian history. “The president has done well. The budgetary provision is the highest in history, meaning the president has demonstrated the will to fight insecurity,” Fabian said. However, he expressed disappointment in the performance of the president’s security appointees, stating that they have not lived up to expectations. “These appointees have not quite…

A New York jury has found Nadine Menendez, the wife of a former New Jersey senator guilty of her role in a years-long bribery conspiracy involving stacks of cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz. Menendez, 58, was found guilty of all 15 counts, including bribery and obstruction of justice, for assisting her husband, former Senator Robert Menendez, who received extravagant gifts in exchange for political favours. She was indicted alongside her husband in September 2023, but her trial was postponed due to breast cancer treatment. Menendez’s sentencing date has been set for June 12. Her spouse was convicted in July…

Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyeson Wike, has advised human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) against misleading his clients. During an interview on national television, Falana said that the Supreme Court’s decision on the Rivers crisis had nothing to do with who was the true speaker of the Rivers Assembly. Falana made the comments while discussing the difficulties surrounding the Supreme Court-determined defection of 27 House of Assembly members. In response, Olayinka said in an Abuja statement on Monday that Justice Emmanuel Obile of the Federal High Court, Port…

The United Kingdom Home Office received 22,619 asylum petitions from Nigerian nationals between 2010 and 2024. Nigerians accounted for one in every 30 UK asylum claims over the time, ranking 11th in the Home Office’s recently released year-end asylum and resettlement figures. According to the Home Office, over two times as many Nigerians (2,841) requested asylum in 2024 than in 2023 (1,462). Overall, 108,138 people applied for asylum in the UK in 2024, representing a 378 per cent increase from 2010. The majority were first-time claims by South Asian and Middle Eastern nationals. Iran topped the chart with 75,737, perhaps…

President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja after an 18-day business tour and retreat in France and London. The presidential 001 aircraft carrying the president landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja around 9:50 p.m. on Monday, according to the State House media office. Tinubu was welcomed by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, among others. Tinubu left Nigeria on Wednesday, April 2, and spent some time in Paris, France, before supposedly travelling…

Nollywood filmmaker Kiki Mordi has accused Pastor David Favour Love of poisoning his wife, Chief Love Shimite, the Special Adviser to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Shimite died in the early hours of Easter Monday following what sources described as mysterious circumstances. SP Bright Edafe, Delta State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, verified her death and stated that Shimite was confirmed dead at the hospital where she was taken to. The circumstances surrounding her death are unknown as of the time of filing this report. However, Mordi alleged that the deceased’s husband killed the her in a bid to take…

Chief Love Shimite, the Special Adviser to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Trade and Export, has died. She died in the early hours of Easter Monday following what sources described as a short illness. The circumstances surrounding her death are unknown as of the time of filing this report. Mr Bright Edafe, Delta State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed her death and stated that Shimite was confirmed dead at the hospital where she was transported. Following alleged threats against her husband, Edafe revealed that he has been placed in protective custody rather than being arrested. According to Edafe,…

No fewer than four persons have been killed in a tragic accident by a speeding truck while commemorating the Easter celebration in Gombe State. The Gombe State Police Command reported the tragic accident in Billiri, Gombe State, in which four people died and eight were treated. The catastrophe occurred on Easter Monday, when Christians were returning from a mountain hike commemorating Jesus Christ’s encounter in Galilee. The police spokesperson, Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed the crash to our correspondent, saying, “Four died — two males and two females. Eight victims were taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, and the General Hospital,…

Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88, ending a pontificate marked by humility, reform, and a strong dedication to the marginalised. His death was announced just eight days after he made an optimistic and cherished appearance at Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican, on April 13. “With profound sadness, I announce the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. “At 7:35 a.m. (0535 GMT) this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, peacefully departed to the house of the Father. His life was wholly devoted to serving God and the Church,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in…