Five days after the killing of over 50 farmers in Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State, suspected armed herders in the early hours of Tuesday attacked Afia Community in Ukum, killing eleven (11) residents.

The Ter Ukum, His Royal Highness Iyorkyaa Kaave who disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi during a security meeting, decried the unprovoked attacks on his subjects by the marauding herdsmen.

The monarch alleged that the attackers plan was to displace the farmers to subsequently return afterwards to occupy their land.

According to him, “As I speak with you, these attacks started on Thursday in Logo and spread to communities in Ukum on good Friday. We are still counting losses and more corpses are being recovered and some people are still missing.”

Ter Ukum added, “Today which is Tuesday 22nd day of April, the herders invaded Afia in the early hour of today, shooting sporadically at anyone in sight, killing eleven people on the spot, while several others sustained varying degree of injuries with scores still missing.

“We want the President to know that these Fulani people are different from the ones we settled with in the 70s and 80s. Those ones do come in the dry season with their wives children and cattle to stay with us; but in recent times, these Fulanis are coming with cattle and AK-47 only to attack our people in their sleep and flee, after a while come back and occupy their homes,” he said.

Addressed President Bola Tinubu, the monarch stated, “The president should get this clear, we don’t want to settle with murderers. These people are coming with a hidden agenda to kill and occupy, which they are no longer hiding.”

Details later…

A coalition of 100 civil society groups, known as the Civic Room for Rule of Law, has thrown its weight behind human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), over his call for the removal of Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.).

The groups claimed that Ibas has breached presidential orders and disregarded the rule of law.

According to the Official Gazette dated March 18, 2025, the Sole Administrator was supposed to operate on the basis of regulations issued by President Tinubu.

However, the groups alleged that Ibas has made appointments and removed officials appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara without any regulatory framework from the President.

In a statement signed by Barrister Maxwell Egboh, President of the Civic Room for Rule of Law, the groups expressed deep concern about the implications of Ibas’ actions on the stability and security of Rivers State.

They urged President Tinubu to take swift and decisive action to address the situation and uphold the law.

Egboh added: “This blatant disregard for the President’s orders is a clear indication of the Sole Administrator’s contempt for the rule of law and the limits of his authority.

“By acting in this manner, he has compounded the illegality of his appointment and undermined the very fabric of our democratic institutions.

“The people of Rivers State deserve better than to be governed by an unelected official who disregards the law with impunity.

“We are deeply concerned about the implications of these actions on the stability and security of Rivers State. The Sole Administrator’s arbitrary decisions have created an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension, which can only be resolved by his immediate removal.

“We urge President Tinubu to take swift and decisive action to address this situation and uphold the law.”

The groups commended the Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives on Rivers State for summoning Ibas for a comprehensive interactive session.

They urged the legislative Committee to thoroughly investigate Ibas’ actions and take necessary steps to ensure that justice is served.

The groups reiterated their commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in the country.

They vowed to continue to monitore the situation in Rivers State and advocate for the rule of law to be upheld.

Pope Francis who died yesterday morning, April 21, at the age of 88 was a trailblazer in more than one respect and definitely one of the most influential figures of the 21^st century: the first priest of the Jesuit Order (Society of Jesus) to occupy the Throne of St. Peter as sovereign of the Vatican State, Bishop of Rome, and leader of all Catholics worldwide (1.4 billion of them across the world). He was the first Pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first Pope to have been raised outside Europe since Pope Gregory III in the eighth century. It may be said that Pope Francis’ death was not shocking, but it was unexpected at the time it happened, the suddenness of it was more telling, He was 88, and at that age, it is common opinion that anything could indeed happen, mortality being a fact of existence, and death, a debt that all living things owe. 

Besides, the Pope had been ill since February. He spent five weeks in the hospital - the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome (February 14 – March 23) where his doctors treated him for a case of double pneumonia, which later resulted in other complications: bronchitis, respiratory issues and aneamia. His doctors discharged him in March, and advised him to take a two months’ rest from duty, to convalesce properly. Since his return, there had been hope that the Pope was on the mend. On Easter Sunday, he greeted crowds at the St. Peter’s Basilica. He was seen without the nasal casula, a breathing aid that his doctors had given him. He wished the about 35, 000 Catholics that had gathered “Happy Easter” and blessed the crowd, including children.  His Easter message – Urbi et Orbi (“To the City and the World”) was delivered on his behalf, a message striking the same notes of concern that formed a major plank of his papacy: peace, humanism and love. On Easter Sunday, he also met with the American Vice President who visited him. J.D. Vance is now recorded in the history books as one of the very last world leaders and diplomats to have spent some time with Pope Francis in his last hours on earth, a great privilege, that is. For a man, a once upon a time evangelical Christian, and an atheist, who converted to the Catholic faith in 2019, Vance may well read more than an ordinary meaning into that last encounter. 

The Holy Father has now gone to be with the Lord, and the tributes have been pouring in from virtually every part of the world - a testament to the impactful tenure of the 266^th Pope of the Catholic Church, and of the force of his character and leadership. The symbolism and the significance of the time of his passing – right at the end of the Holy Week, on Easter Monday, seem imbued with deeper meaning. The Catholic Church is now in mourning as the Church slips into an interregnum, that is the time between the death of one Pope and the emergence of another. The Holy See has already declared the Novendiale, nine days of mourning, and daily prayer services and requiem masses have already begun at Catholic churches worldwide, as the Church prepares for the burial of Pope Francis. Within the next 15 - 20 days, the Sacred College of Cardinals from all over the world (136 of them currently – those under the age of 80 are eligible to vote) will convene at the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican City to choose a new Pope. During that period, marked by secrecy, ritual and tradition, there will be rounds of voting by the Cardinals until a candidate wins two thirds of the vote, and a white smoke emerges from the chapel to herald the emergence of a new Pope to the shouts of “Habemus Papum!” among the faithful. The secrecy and the politics of this process are well dramatized in a movie titled The Conclave (2006), and also in another movie of exactly the same title, that is- The Conclave (2024), (adapted from Robert Dennis Harris’s 2016 novel still of the same title) - winner of the 97th Academy Award for Best Writing and the BAFTA Award for Best Film. The period of the burial and the emergence of a new Pope should be a season of reflection and introspection for the Catholic Church, and an appreciation of the legacy and example of Pope Francis. 

When Jorge Mario Bergoglio (real name of Pope Francis) ascended the Throne of St. Peter on March 13, 2013, following the resignation and retirement of Pope Benedict XVI who died later in 2022, the new Pope had chosen the name Francis in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, the Italian mystic and poet who founded the Order of the Franciscans. This gesture was meant to underscore the 266^th Pope’s commitment to a life of poverty, chastity and the defence of the interest of the poor, the powerless, and the underprivileged members of the community. Pope Francis was a transformative leader who modernized the Catholic Church, an Outsider with a liberal disposition who dispensed with convention. He inherited a papacy that was mired in controversy, doubt and debate. He provided greater clarity with his humility, kindness, concern for the poor, commitment to inter-religious dialogue and continuous emphasis on the supremacy of God’s mercy. Born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the eldest child of Italian immigrants, Jorge Bergoglio came to the papacy well prepared within the Church and in the world of practical experience. He once had a girlfriend – Amalia Damonte – who did not marry him. He also once worked as a bouncer in a night club! He loved football.  But as fate would have it, he joined the Jesuit Order in 1958, and was ordained a priest in 1969, armed with a philosophy degree from the Catholic University of Buenos Aires. He rose through the ranks within the Catholic priesthood in Argentina, becoming coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1997, and eventually Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. He was quite a controversial figure in the Catholic Church in Argentina, and in the politics of the country especially during his term as provincial superior in the late 70s, and his fierce criticism of the government of the country, although he was criticized for not doing enough to oppose military dictatorship in Argentina.  It is instructive that after becoming Pope, he never went back to that country. He had become famous by 2001 when Pope John Paul II elected him to the College of Cardinals. In 2005, his name had come up at the Conclave as a potential Pope, but it was not until 2013 when Benedict XVI resigned that he became Pope. 

His papacy was characterized by the courage with which he stood up to the Conservative wing of the Church who resisted his attempts at reform, and insisted that he was not “a true Pope” having not arrived at the position by way of tradition, rather through the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. This did not deter Pope Francis. He also boldly confronted his critics including American Cardinal Raymond Burke whom he had to demote twice. The church is probably one of the most political organizations in the world. The Catholic Church is not an exception in this regard. What endures however is Pope Francis’ commitment to service – his projection of the ideal of servant leadership, and the view that the church is for the poor who needed to be saved. He shunned luxury and preferred the common touch. He was willing to walk with the poor, live among them and fight for social and economic justice. He shunned the palatial residence of the Pope, any form of ostentation, and lived instead in humble surroundings of his choice, a small room in a guest house at the Vatican – the Casa Santa Maria. He was interested in service and making an impact, and he proved this again and again in the course of his 12-year papacy. His liberalism and belief in inclusive humanity could be seen for example in his defence of the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. He argued that even gay persons deserved the blessing of the church, because like everyone else they are the children of God. As he put it: “if a person is gay and seeks out the Lord and is willing, who am I to judge that person?” Pope Francis also supported climate change initiatives, and the urgent need to save the Earth. He also defended the plight of migrants and refugees in his support for refugees in Lampedusa, and the Greek island of Lesbos. He had the common touch either when seen identifying with the homeless in Washington DC, or the migrants in Lampedusa or washing and kissing the feet of South Sudanese war mongers.  He was an apostle of peace, and unity, on the questions of South Sudan, Iraq, Egypt, Myanmar and every other troubled spot in the world. It was most instructive in his last Easter message this past Sunday, that the Pope condemned the deplorable situation in Gaza, anti-Semitism and the worrisome state of the world. Two years earlier, he apologized for the role played by the church in “cultural genocide” especially in Canada. He was also the first Pope to address a joint session of the US Congress, and on that occasion, Thursday, September 25, 2015, he defended the rights of immigrants “to travel North”.  He was in the forefront of the campaign for vaccination during the COVID pandemic in 2021. He initiated reconciliation with the Eastern Orthodox Church, the first time since the schism of 1054.  He reached out to Muslims and persons of other faiths as well.  He was the “Pope of the peripheries”. He was the “Pope of Peace.”

Pope Francis did his best to reform the Vatican curia, but he did not succeed in every endeavour. His effort for example to promote women in the Church to the diaconate and the Bishopric level was widely questioned by the conservatives. When he tried to change the rules about divorced couples, he caused another threat of schism in the Church. He wanted divorced couples to take the Holy communion without the formal annulment of marriage. He had tried to address the challenge of sexual abuse in the church and among the priesthood – the Dirty Dozen affair- but he did not make any progress with that either, what he got instead was a rebellion within the church. Whatever may have been his omissions, however, Pope Francis was all things considered a traditionalist. He upheld the position of the Church on euthanasia, abortion, death penalty and celibacy. He also projected a positive vison of the Church, and was loud and articulate in defending peace and human progress.  He leaves behind a message of hope, humanism and simplicity. Other Popes before him were buried in style, he has left word that he should be buried very simply – in one coffin made of wood and zinc. He wants to be buried as an ordinary pastor not as a powerful figure in the world! That should happen within the next six days according to tradition. 

Pope Francis was a moral exemplar about the vanity of all things. He will certainly be remembered kindly and positively for his evangelism, his support for the poor, marginalized populations of the world. He will also be remembered for his projection of the Church as a prophetic church, and for his exhortations and encyclicals which raise fundamental questions about the place of the Church in a modern world as in these writings - “Lumen Fidei” (2013), “Evangelii Gaudium” (2013) “Amoris Laetitia” (2016), “Laudato Si” (2015), “Fratelli Tutti” (2020), “Laudate Deum” (2023) and “Dilexit Nos” (2024). For ordinary folks, there is perhaps an additional lesson here about the importance of health. The same ailment that has now resulted in the death of Pope Francis first showed up in 1957 when he was 21 years old. He had pneumonia then, and he had to undergo surgery. Doctors removed one of his lungs, and throughout his life, he struggled with respiratory illnesses. But with the grace of God, and with spartan self-discipline, paying attention to his health condition, he lived to the ripe age of 88, and has left a remarkable legacy. 

It is now up to the Sacred College of Cardinals to elect a new Pope, and this obviously would be a question of whether the Cardinals would choose a liberal Pope who would extend Pope Francis’ modernization of the church or a hardline Conservative whose emergence would be a return to the authoritarianism of the Church, or perhaps a moderate who would unite all sides. There is also the question about age. In 2013, Bergoglio was 76. But despite the fact that the election of a new Pope is shrouded in secrecy until the Cardinals decide, this has not stopped the media and pundits from speculating about likely successors, and the big question has been: are we likely to have a Pope for the first time from Asia or from Africa? A certain Cardinal Adeyemi almost made it to the papacy in the movie, The Conclave (2024), but Africa happened to him. As the Catholic Church prepares for a post-Francis papacy, may the good Lord choose his own Bishop for the Throne of St. Peter. Farewell, Franciscus…Our Heavenly Father, we bow in submission to Thy Will…     

Nigeria’s broad money supply has increased to N114.22 trillion in March 2025, defying the Central Bank of Nigeria’s monetary policy tightening in the last quarter.

This is according to the latest money and credit statistics released by the apex bank for the first quarter of 2025.

The figure represents a 24 percent increase when compared to N92.19 trillion recorded in the same month of 2024, despite the CBN Monetary Policy Committee pegging the country’s Cash Reserve Ratio at 50 percent.

On a month-on-month basis, the figure also rose by 3.2 percent from N110.71 trillion in February.

The increase comes amid a sharp rise in net foreign assets, which rose by 38.9 percent to N45.17 trillion, which portends stronger capital inflows on the back of possible revaluation gains.

Meanwhile, in contrast, net domestic assets declined by 11.7 percent to N69.05 trillion, reflecting tighter liquidity within the domestic financial system.

Despite efforts to reduce inflation, which stood at 24.23 percent in March, and control liquidity through the imposition of the highest CRR in the world, Nigeria’s monetary base continued to surge.

The rise in broad money supply may be due to foreign asset holdings and government credit.

In the first quarter of the year, M3 grew by 2.8 percent, from N111.11 trillion in January to N114.22 trillion in March.

The CBN data indicated that the volume of currency circulating outside the banking system rose to N4.6 trillion in March, out of a total currency in circulation of N5 trillion.

The implication is that 91.9 percent of all cash in the economy was held outside the banks.

It further represents a 26.7 percent increase compared to N3.63 trillion held outside the banks in March 2024, when total currency in circulation stood at N3.87 trillion.

The increased demand for cash has remained consistent throughout the first quarter of 2025, with January figures showing N4.74 trillion in cash outside banks (90.5 percent of total) and N4.52 trillion in February (89.6 percent of total).

Recall that in February 2025, the MPC retained the interest rate at 27.50 percent and retained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 50 basis points and other variables.

The apex bank is billed to hold its next MPC meeting on May 19 and 20, 2025

The leadership of the Obedient Movement led by Alhaji Ahmad Abulfathi, at the weekend, reached the decision to collapse its national, zonal, state, local government, and ward political structures into the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates (NTCA).

The decision was reached following a strategic high-level and exhaustive meeting held in Lagos with the National Leader of NTCA, Henry Nwabueze.

Represented by the 36 State coordinators of the Obedient Movement, they all agreed to merge their structures at the various levels into NTCA to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

A statement by Ahmad Abulfathi said the lead representative of the movement said: “We are proud to align with the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates to ensure that Nigerians benefit from the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu while completing two terms in office.

“In the spirit of fairness and unity, we urge Mr Peter Obi and other intending contestants for the 2027 presidential election to jettison their ambitions for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We cannot afford to distort and discontinue these laudable structures of development courageously built by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu like removal of subsidy, local government autonomy, tax reforms, revival of refineries, student loans, establishment of ministry of livestock (to regulate the rearing of Cattle etc), establishment of regional development commissions, electricity reforms, increased GDP and foreign reserves, establishment of over 8,800 new primary healthcare centres across the country, upgrade of existing tertiary institutions to

handle trauma, oncology, and infectious disease control. And lots more.

“It is simple. Go And verify, as Mr Peter Obi would fondly say. We Nigerians are called upon to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu, despite these initial challenges being faced, no pain, no gain. Continuity is the intention and our sincere conviction. In a show of solidarity, the movement has pledged to mobilize all youth and women leaders across the nation into the NTCA framework, which it now recognizes as a stronger and more inclusive platform to achieve this Nigerian HOPE.

“Sequel to this alignment agreement, the Obedient Movement will adopt the identity and operational direction of Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates, to demonstrate its commitment to unity, progress, and national development.”

The first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, died of stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said in a statement on Monday.

The pontiff’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from Catholics across the globe. From South Sudan to Argentina, Poland to the Philippines, the BBC reports from across five continents.

Pope Francis confirmed in his final testament – released by the Vatican recently, that he wished to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major and “without particular decoration”.

The statement read, “As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.

“Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the Resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

“I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.

“I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.

“The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.

“The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.

“May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.”

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has raised the alarm over escalating security challenges in the state, particularly with the start of the 2025 farming season, lamenting that the state is under siege by elements determined to displace the people and take over their ancestral homes.

The governor, who made this known while addressing worshippers at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi, called on citizens to remain alert and stand firm against those seeking to destabilise the state by reporting suspicious movements to security agencies.

Recall that the governor a few days ago visited Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State where attacks on the communities by armed bandits on Thursday, and early hours of Good Friday, left over 50 farmers dead with scores sustaining varying degrees of injuries. He appealed to the federal government to come to the aid of the state to end the attacks.

A statement by the principal special assistant to the governor on media and content creation, Isaac Uzaan, quoted the governor as expressing grave concern over the persistent attacks on the farming communities in the state, stating that the state is under siege by elements determined to displace the people and take over their lands.

“We are under siege as a state. Our people are under constant attack; those attacking us are not ghosts; they have faces, motives, and missions. They drag people out, they kill to occupy. It is completely unacceptable,” Governor Alia fumed.

He warned political actors who may be exploiting the crisis for personal or partisan gains to refrain from such actions, saying, “We have mechanisms in place to uncover those complicit in the destruction of our state.”

“I want to condemn all forms of criminality in the state, a terrorist is a terrorist regardless of his or her ethnicity or religion. Crime is crime. Anyone who commits it is a terrorist and should not be among the living,” he declared.

Governor Alia, however, encouraged the people of Benue to remain resilient, assuring them of his administration’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace and order across the state.

Reflecting on the lessons of Easter, the governor described the death and resurrection of Christ as the ultimate example of selfless sacrifice, and he called on the people to pray for the repose of those recently killed, especially the innocent victims in the Ukum and Logo local government areas.

While insisting that everyone is responsible for security, the governor said, “If you see something, say something to enable the security agencies to move swiftly and stop these invaders.”

Chelsea have drawn up a three-man striker shortlist for the summer, according to The Athletic.

Multiple reports have suggested that Chelsea are interested in Napoli-owned striker Victor Osimhen but the Nigerian international was not mentioned in Athletic’s David Omstein’s list.

Ornstein reports that the Blues are keen on bolstering their attacking options after the season.

The Blues have missed multiple chances in the ongoing season due to lack of a prolific striker.

According Ornstein, Chelsea are looking at Liam Delap, Benjamin Sesko, and Hugo Ekitike.

The trio has scored 12, 20 and 21 goals across competitions this season, respectively.

Enzo Maresca’s side will face competition for the signature of all three strikers, with Delap being linked to Manchester United, Sesko with Arsenal, and Ekitike with Liverpool.

However, Chelsea will be confident they can sign at least one of the strikers ahead of the new season.

Chelsea’s highest goal scorer this season is Cole Palmer, who has scored 14 goals across competitions despite failing to find the back of the net in his last 13 games.

Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has slammed the chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Buba Galadima, referring to him as a failed politician with no base.

Ganduje was reacting to Galadima’s remark that he has no political values, adding that he is the APC National Chairman due to President Bola Tinubu’s influence.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Oliver Okpara, Ganduje said Galadima has no moral standing to question his political relevance.

Ganduje reminded Galadima that he successfully governed Kano State for eight years without interruption.

He described Galadima as “a failed politician with no political base.

“His statement clearly portrays him as a mischievous personality, politically.

“Ganduje is a well known, tested and trusted, result-orientated technocrat and politician of high repute who successfully led Kano for two uninterrupted terms.

“He is a man with infallible proof of performance across Kano and beyond.

“His developmental projects are still littered across Kano state, a testament of his unbroken connection with the people.

“Ganduje is a grassroots politician with results to show. Where are Galadima’s results?

“Galadima should know that the APC ship under the leadership of Dr Ganduje is sailing smoothly and the party has continued to wax stronger under him.

“The same cannot be said of Buba Galadima’s NNPP which has continued to suffer serious lacerations due to an intractable and untreatable factionalization.”