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Tinubu Departs Nigeria Saturday With Bishop Kukah, Others On Pope Leo’s Invitation To Rome

Published

2 months ago

May 16, 2025

In a statement released Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu will be accompanied by top Catholic leaders from Nigeria as part of his official delegation.

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rome, Italy, on Saturday to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, following a special invitation from the newly elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

The President’s visit comes as Pope Leo XIV prepares to formally begin his pontificate with a solemn mass on Sunday at the Vatican.

The ceremony marks the beginning of his tenure as the 267th Bishop of Rome and spiritual head of over a billion Catholics worldwide.

In a formal invitation delivered through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Pope Leo XIV explained the symbolic importance of President Tinubu’s presence.

“Your great nation is particularly dear to me, as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s,” the Pope wrote, recalling his personal connection to Nigeria.

He further noted that Tinubu’s attendance is vital “at this moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and the world afflicted by many tensions and conflicts.”

The statement by the presidency read, “President Tinubu’s entourage includes the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Archbishop of Owerri and President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, and Alfred Martins of Lagos.”

According to Onanuga, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, is also in the president’s entourage.

He explained that Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, will be formally installed to the exalted office on Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.

“The Conclave of Cardinals elected him 27 days after his predecessor, Pope Francis, died on April 21.”

Onanuga added that President Tinubu will return to Abuja on Tuesday, May 20.

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BREAKING: Police take over PDP Secretariat in Abuja

Published

4 days ago

June 30, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

As tension continues to mount over the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting, which is expected to hold on Monday, armed policemen have taken over its secretariat.

According to an official of the party who spoke to newsmen, the police were deployed to stop the proposed NEC Expanded Caucus Meeting.

Though some staff members of the party were initially allowed to go into the premises of the secretariat without any resistance from the police, they were later sent out.

At the time of filing this report, journalists were also asked to leave the premises of the secretariat, while some policemen were seen cordoning off Dalaba Street, which is the road leading to Wadata Plaza.

Details shortly…

EVENTS

Police arrest suspected cultist during meeting, recover firearm in Ogun

Published

4 days ago

June 29, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Operatives from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Ogun State Police Command, have arrested a suspected member of the Eiye Confraternity, Ismail Afolabi, at Saje Area of Car Wash, Abeokuta.

The suspect was arrested following credible intelligence received by the police that members of the Eiye Confraternity were holding a secret meeting with the intention to carry out criminal activities.

The police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirming the arrest to DAILY POST on Sunday, said the suspect was apprehended while attempting to flee.

Odutola stated that he was found in possession of a cross bag containing a loaded cut-to-size double-barrel shotgun and live ammunition.

She said, “On Friday, June 27, 2025, at about 05:30 pm , the Ogun State Police Command received credible intelligence that members of the Eiye Confraternity were holding a clandestine meeting with suspected criminal intent at the Saje Area of Car Wash, Abeokuta.

“Operatives from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit swiftly mobilized to the scene. On arrival, one suspect, Ismail Afolabi ‘m’, was found in possession of a cross-body bag containing a cut-to-size double-barrel shotgun loaded with live ammunition.”

The spokesperson noted that preliminary investigations have commenced, and efforts are ongoing to track down other accomplices.

The Command restated its commitment to eradicating cult-related violence and maintaining peace and order in the state.

EVENTS

Suspected gunmen kidnap man in Benue

Published

5 days ago

June 29, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Gunmen have kidnapped a middle-aged man, Ortese Tarlumun Joseph, in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, after shooting at his family during an attempted escape.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama revealed the incident in a post on X on Sunday.

He said the abduction happened on Friday, June 27, around 6:00 p.m. near Tomanyiin Main Village in Nzorov district.

Sources told Makama that Ortese was returning from the farm with his wife and son when two armed men came out of the bush and ordered them to lie down.

“Out of fear, the family tried to run, and the gunmen fired two gunshots.

“Mrs. Ortese said she later heard her husband calling for help but could not find him. It was later discovered that the attackers had taken him away,” Makama wrote

The family’s Toyota Corolla was found at the scene.

Security personnel launched a search operation shortly after the incident, but neither the kidnappers nor the victim had been found at the time of reporting.