Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has joined the rest of the world in mourning the Catholic Pontiff and sovereign of the Vatican City, Pope Francis. Mbah described the late Pontiff as a man full of humanity, a reformer, and humble leader. In a statement he personally signed on Monday, the governor also described the Pope's demise as a heavy loss, not only to the Catholic Church, but equally to the entire world. "His Holiness, Pope Francis, was full of humanity and lived as an epitome of meekness. A highly spiritual Pontiff, he chose a modest life over the glamour and privileges intrinsic in the papacy. “The first Jesuit Pope championed a number of liberal reforms, including the review of the Vatican constitution that accorded the lay Catholic and women a foothold on the central administration of the Mother Church “Importantly, His Holiness will be remembered for the promotion of global peace, one of his most outstanding legacies being the 'Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,' which he co-signed with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, on February 4, 2019. “Therefore, I am of the strong belief that a peaceful resolution of the raging conflicts around the world will stand as the greatest monument in honour of the Holy Father. “On behalf of the Government and good people of Enugu State, l join the over 1.4 billion members of the Catholic Church across the world to mourn His Holiness and pray for the peaceful repose of his kind soul."

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the 2023 general election in Ebonyi State, Chief lfeanyi Chukwuma Odii has empowered Isuachara community in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State with One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N150,000,000.00) to boost food production. Odii announced the empowerment in the community during a grand reception in his honour. He said he would select three beneficiaries each from five kindred that make up the community for modern agric businesses and promised to give N3 million each to 15  of them after training. He also supported the community's N300m Town Hall project with Twenty Million Naira (20,000,000), promising to give more if the money was  judiciously utilized. "Our community is known for its rich in production of rice, yam, Cassava and vegetable foods, and that made our community people agrarian and that is why I am supporting them. "The agricultural empowerment will involve three persons each from the five kindred, making 15 beneficiaries. "The beneficiaries will go into training in morden farming and after which, I will give them N3 million each to start up agricultural business," he said. Odii, who bagged a Chieftaincy title, "Omeziriobodo 1 of Isuachara alongside six other illustrious sons of the community, said the agricultural empowerment would be rotating among the people annually. Emmanuel Ogudu, National Chairman of Isuachara Development Union said the grand reception and the Chieftaincy award were for the appreciation of Odii for his meritorious service to mankind. Ogudu, who commended Odii, said the annual occasion would pave way for more unified people of Isuachara, urging Odii to keep the flag flying. Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Ogbonna Ogbu, who also one of the Chieftaincy awardees, expressed gratitude for the 2025 celebration of the Isuachara day.

There is panic in Zamfara State following reported imposition of N60m levy on some communities in Zamfara State. Residents fear there could be attacks if they don’t pay the levy as imposed by the bandits. They include: Koloma, Dan Hayin Zargado, Zargado, Dan Godabe, Sabuwar Tunga, Makini, Bubaka, Yelwa, Bahwada, Koda, Manya and Kabusu communities. The bandits operating in the north eastern part of the country accused the communities of aiding military raids. This was disclosed in a post on X by Bakatsine, a conflict and crisis journalist in northwest Nigeria. He wrote: "Bandits have imposed a N60m levy on 12 Zamfara communities: Koloma, Dan Hayin Zargado, Zargado, Dan Godabe, Sabuwar Tunga, Makini, Bubaka, Yelwa, Bahwada, Koda, Manya & Kabusu for allegedly aiding military raids. Residents fear attacks if they don’t pay." NATIONAL POST reports that Zamfara is one of the states that have faced consistent attacks by bandits for several years. Governor Dauda Lawal, who inherited the security challenge, vowed never to negotiate with the terror group.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), Prof Joy Ezeilo has mourned the passage of Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis. It could be recalled that Pope Francis passed on in the early hours of Easter Monday.e Ezeilo, Executive Director of Women Aid Collective, (WACOL), in a message posted on her social media pages, said Pope Francis was a defender of the voiceless. She wrote, "Fare thee well, our Holy Father Pope Francis! A beacon of divine grace, a tireless advocate for the voiceless, vulnerable, victimized, and impoverished. "His life's work, a testament to unwavering faith and devotion to God and humanity, will forever inspire Christendom and beyond. "I had the profound honour of meeting Pope Francis in 2013 at the Vatican during the Interdenominational Conference he organized on Human Trafficking. "At that time, I served as the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. One memory stands out vividly: an Argentine woman, rescued by Pope Francis himself when he was the Bishop in Argentina, shared how his intervention saved her life from the abyss of trafficking."

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has confirmed that the Federal Government is carrying out a review process for the concessioning of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. There have been condemnations over reports that the airport has been concessioned for 80 years. However, the minister in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood said whilst it was true that the federal government was considering proposals for the concession of five major airports to ensure these vital facilities can meet and maintain international standards, it was untrue that it had concluded the process. While noting that many of the country's airports were presently running at a loss, Keyamo said it was noteworthy that the initiative to concession the airports started from previous administrations. The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to certain online reports/stories suggesting that a certain lengthy period of concession has been agreed upon regarding the Enugu International Airport. These reports/stories are utterly baseless and untrue. “At this stage, prospective concessionaires have indeed submitted various proposals, including different durations for the concession. “It is important to emphasise that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has not established any fixed duration. “All submitted proposals are currently undergoing thorough evaluation that will eventually be reviewed by the ICRC before it is presented to the Minister for conveyance to FEC for approval. We can confirm that this review process has not been concluded.”

President Bola Tinubu is expected back to Nigeria today, Monday, after a trip to France, Europe. He embarked on the trip on April 2nd, attracting condemnation from major opposition leaders. Both former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party ex-presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi criticised his absence at a time when killer herdsmen and bandits were running riot. However, presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a terse statement on his X account Monday, wrote: "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today.” The presidency had earlier said Tinubu can run the country from any part of the world.

The process will soon commence for the replacement of the deceased Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis. NATIONAL POST reported that Pope Francis died Monday morning, aged 88. Eight cardinals are among those in line to succeed him. They include: Peter Turkson, 76 The former Bishop of the Cape Coast, would be the first black Pope and would have the appeal of reaching out to Africa. Born in Ghana, he was sent by Pope Francis as a peace envoy to South Sudan. Luis Antonio Tagle, 67 Tagle is a frontrunner this time round and is considered one of the more liberal candidates Pietro Parolin, 70 Parolin has worked closely with Pope Francis but has upset some with his views on China. He is seen as a moderate, though not as close to the liberal wing as Francis has sometimes appeared to be. Peter Erdo, 72 From the Eastern bloc, Erdo is a deep conservative and has spoken against divorced or remarried Catholics receiving holy communion. Jose Tolentino, 59 As the relative youth candidate, he has advocated that biblical scholars engage with the modern world by watching films and listening to music. Matteo Zuppi, 69 Zuppi has been Archbishop of Bologna since 2015 and was appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019. Two years ago, the Pope made him the Vatican peace envoy for Ukraine. Mario Grech, 68 Cardinal Grech has played a key role in advancing Pope Francis’s vision for a more inclusive and participatory Church. He served as the Bishop of Gozo and is now the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops. Robert Sarah, 79 Born in French Guinea, Sarah is another possibility as the first black pope. A conservative, he has denounced gender ideology as a threat to society. He has also spoken out against Islamic fundamentalism.

Roman Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis is dead. News of his demise filtered in on Monday. Francis died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. In a post on the social media platform X, the Vatican said that the pontiff died in his residence. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, disclosed that Pope Francis died at 7:35 am on Easter Monday. Speaking at the Casa Santa Marta, Farrell said: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. "He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. "With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God." Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Super Falcons player, Peace Ogebe is in a lamenting mood over the widespread killings in Benue State. The midfielder, in a post shared via her social media handle, lamented the ceaseless bloodshed ravaging her home state, stating that she’s been unable to sleep in recent days due to the disturbing news filtering in from the region. According to her, "I am just having sleepless nights these days because of what is happening in Benue State. “Like seriously, I can't just sleep. Why all the killing? What is their aim? I keep asking myself this question yet there’s no answer.” While accusing the authorities of not doing enough, she added: "Why is the government quiet over these killings? “Is it that they don't know what to do, or they just intentionally want to be mute.” Benue has remained under severe attacks by herdsmen, with tens of people already killed, many displaced and properties burnt.

Lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, (SAN) has come hard on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing him as the only life bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial court or appellate court. Falana spoke in response to Wike, who taunted him “for losing a case, which he had won at the Supreme Court.” He said it was laughable that even though he appeared regularly in domestic and regional courts in Africa,  “Mr Wike dubbed me “a television lawyer”. Falana’s detailed response below: “In a recent media outburst, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, taunted me for losing a case, which he had won at the Supreme Court. Even though I appear regularly in domestic and regional courts in Africa,  Mr Wike dubbed me “a television lawyer”. I did not join issues with him on that occasion because Wike is the only life bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial court or appellate court. Another reason for ignoring Wike’s vituperations is that it is no crime if a lawyer loses a case in any court. In other words, only a corrupt lawyer wins all cases in all courts. A couple of days ago, Wike subjected me to another scurrilous attack in a press conference held in Abuja to showcase the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory. In the course of the press conference, he veered off and was alleged to have accused me of lying about the defection status of certain legislators during an appearance on Channels TV. While referring to a recent Supreme Court ruling that addressed the issue of defection, stating, “A few days ago, the Supreme Court settled this matter of defection.” He then said, “If someone of Femi Falana’s calibre can go on national television and lie, it is very serious. Lies can cause a lot of crises.” He expressed concern that such misinformation, especially from a respected legal figure, could escalate tensions if not addressed. Specifically, Wike accused me of lying against the Supreme Court over its decision on the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Contrary to Wike’s assertion, I did not lie against the Supreme Court in respect of the judgment in question. All I said was that the matter of the defection of the 27 legislators was raised suo motu and determined by the eminent justices of the apex court. My comment was based on the undeniable fact that the vexed issue of the defection of the 27 legislators was pending in the Port Harcourt judicial division of the Federal High Court at the material time. In addition, there are video tapes and a sworn affidavit where the 27 legislators had confirmed their defection from the People’s Democratic Party  to the All Progressive Congress. It is public knowledge that Wike had praised the Supreme Court to high heavens and held a thanksgiving service to celebrate the decision on the defection of the 27 legislators. However, he decided to attack me for commenting on the same judgment without any legal justification. I wish to state, without any fear of contradictions, that my fundamental right to criticise the decisions of courts is guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. I would have ignored the minister’s latest gratuitous attack but for the fact that he had recently called on the Body of Benchers to discipline lawyers who had the temerity to criticise the judgments of Nigerian courts. However, unlike Wike, who calls judges names whenever they disagree with his politics of opportunism, I have always criticised the judgments of domestic and regional courts with the utmost decorum and in good faith. While Wike believes that it is a professional anomaly to criticise the decisions of Judges, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has always welcomed the criticism and review of its judgments because the justices believe that they are prone to make mistakes like all mortals. It is undoubtedly clear that Wike is not familiar with the case of Adegoke Motors Limited v Dr Babatunde Adesanya 2 1989 3 NWLR (Pt 109) 250 at 274, where Oputa JSC of blessed memory said,  “We are final not because we are infallible; rather we are infallible because we are final.” About five years ago, the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, said to lawyers, “As critical stakeholders in the task of justice delivery, you have the responsibility of drawing our attention to where things are going wrong or on the verge of going wrong.”  Justice Muhammad further stated that it would not be out of place for lawyers to subject justices in the country to criticism where necessary as a step to ensuring improvement in the justice delivery system. From time to time, many respected justices commend my criticism of the judgments of courts and the defence of the judiciary. It is on record that at a recent valedictory service held in Abuja, a retiring justice of the Supreme Court referred to one of my critical comments pertaining to the Nigerian Judiciary. In the light of the foregoing, Wike deliberately set out to incite the Supreme Court against me as the allegation levelled against me by him is spurious and tendentious in every material particular. Since he has become the unsolicited defender of the judiciary, I challenge him to report me to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for professional misconduct. No doubt, the decision of the Supreme Court is final on defection of legislators from the political party that sponsored them to another political party. In their wisdom, their lordships said that defection can only be proved with the production of the register of members of political parties. My fear is that this decision will be waived by unpatriotic politicians to justify political prostitution in Nigeria. In the interest of political stability and national morality, I have respectively called on the Supreme Court to continue to rely on the cases of the Attorney-General of the Federation 𝐯. Abubakar (2007) 10 NWLR (PT.1041) 1 at 178, Dapialong v Dariye (2007) 8 NWLR (Pt 1036) 332 and Abegunde 𝐯. Ondo State House of Assembly & Ors (2015) LPELR-24588(SC), where it had been held that the consequence of a defection by a legislator is the automatic loss of his or her seat in the legislative house. Falana (SAN), a lawyer and human rights advocate, writes from Lagos

Contrary to the denial by the Nigeria Police, the Emir of Yashikira, Umoru Seriki, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State says a new terrorist group, 'Mahmuda' is allegedly occupying some parts of the Kwara North Senatorial District and Niger State. He claimed that concerned authorities have abandoned communities under attacks by the terror group. The Emir lamented that "the situation is that we are totally demoralized, we are not happy with what the authorities are saying that there is no presence of terrorists in our domains. "We are not happy and we feel abandoned by the government and left on our own, but as the situation is, we have no choice than to continue to defend ourselves.” "It is very unfortunate that we have complained about this thing earlier and nobody seems to pay attention to our plight," DAILY POST quoted him as saying. The attacks, according to the traditional ruler, are not only in Baruten and Kaiama local governments of Kwara state, but also Borgu Kingdom in Niger State. Seriki, while confirming last week's attacks by the terrorists, disclosed that the security vehicle bought by the people for operations by the vigilantes was bombed by the terrorists. "We are just lucky that our vigilantes survived the attacks though some suffered some bruises. "The casualties we suffered were not actually 15, but we suffered some casualties and the terrorists also suffered some casualties. "So that is the situation, what the social media is actually reporting is the truth, we are just praying to God to help and protect us in the current situation we are facing," he added. The Kwara State Police Command last week refuted the alleged emergence of a terror group named 'Mahmuda' within Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of the state. The command also categorically dismissed the claim that 15 vigilantes have been killed by the terror group, describing it as false and devoid of any factual basis. A statement by the spokesperson of the command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in Ilorin on Saturday, said comprehensive and continuous threat assessments, intelligence surveillance, and tactical reconnaissance operations in the said areas have yielded no evidence of insurgent activity, coordinated terrorist formations, or mass casualty incidents as described.