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The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Oladipo family and the Nigerian media industry following the passing of Dr. Samson Dotun Oladipo, a veteran journalist and distinguished media professional.

In a condolence message, Governor Mutfwang described the late Dr. Oladipo as an ace journalist and a towering figure in the media industry, whose immense contributions to journalism helped shape public discourse, promote democracy and good governance, and project a positive image of Nigeria before the international community.

The Governor commended his decades-long career in journalism, marked by professionalism, intellectual depth, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to ethical journalism.

He noted that Dr. Oladipo’s dedication to mentoring and nurturing younger professionals contributed significantly to building a new generation of journalists equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values required to serve the nation creditably.

Governor Mutfwang recalled with nostalgia his encounter with Dr. Samson Dotun Oladipo during one of the visits of the Nigerian Guild of Editors to Plateau State for its Annual General Meeting, describing the memory as a cherished one, and expressed deep sorrow over his passing.

Governor Mutfwang said the demise of Dr. Oladipo, a newspaper editor and later Publisher of the Eagles Online platform, was not only a monumental loss to his immediate family, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the journalism profession, but also a profound loss to the entire media community and the nation, considering his remarkable contributions to journalism and national development.

On behalf of his family, the Government and the peace-loving people of Plateau State, Governor Mutfwang conveyed his deepest sympathies to the Oladipo family, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, and the entire media community over the painful loss. He prayed that Almighty God would grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort the family, colleagues, and all those mourning his passing.

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After years of searching, Italian archaeologists have discovered an ancient site that matches a Bible description of the tomb where Jesus Christ was buried.

This was made known by a preliminary study in the Jerusalem archaeological journal Liber Annuus.

“We have found evidence of a funerary landscape,” lead archaeologist Francesca Romana Stasolla, of the “La Sapienza” University of Rome, told the Daily Mail.

The researchers had been excavating Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a fourth century Roman Church that was built over a holy site where many Christians believe Christ was crucified, buried and then resurrected.

True tomb? of Jesus Christ found after 2,000 years and it matches the Biblical description
The church of the Holy Sepulchre

As a result, it’s become a mecca for religious pilgrims from across the world, attracting around four million visitors per year.

?True tomb? of Jesus Christ found after 2,000 years and it matches the Biblical description
Pilgrims praying at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

During the final phases of the excavations in 2025, the team found a peculiar landscape that suggests they might have been onto something.

Underneath the church was an abandoned quarry, cultivated plots of land, rock-cut tombs and an ancient garden.

Coincidentally, the Book of John said: “At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.”

While no one had been found in the tomb, the abundance of parallels was compelling.

John 19:20 says that the crucifixion occurred close to Jerusalem, while Hebrews 13:12 claims that it occurred outside the city gate, which was the exact location of the quarry at the time of Christ.

Sections of the quarry measured 20 feet deep and had been filled with dirt, suggesting that it served a pastoral purpose.

The site’s agricultural function was further supported by the discovery of olive trees and grapevines — possibly the same plant referenced in John 19:41 — that date back to the time of Jesus‘ de@th, which is believed to have happened around 33 A.D.

“The gospel mentions a green area between the Calvary and the tomb, and we identified these cultivated fields,” Stasolla told the Times of Israel.

In fact, the graves, which were carved directly into the stone, proved that it was an actual burial ground, and matched descriptions by Matthew, Mark and Luke of Jesus’ grave as having been carved from rock.

The evidence goes beyond parallels to the Bible. One particular chamber had been obstructed by a Roman structure built during Emperor Hadrian’s reign in the second century.

Around 200 years later, builders employed by Constantine’s workers destroyed the Roman structure and dug up the site to reveal the tomb, which they then separated from the other chambers.

While this doesn’t definitely prove that this was Jesus’ burial site, the campaign to preserve it suggested that knowledge of the site had been passed down to early generations of Christian worshippers.

“The real treasure we are revealing is the history of the people who made this site what it is by expressing their faith here,” Stasolla told the Times. “Whether someone believes or not in the historicity of the Holy Sepulchre, the fact that generations of people did is objective. The history of this place is the history of Jerusalem, and at least from a certain moment, it is the history of the worship of Jesus Christ.”

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has confirmed that its investigation into the utilisation of the N12bn Federal Government intervention fund released to the Nigeria Football Federation is ongoing.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this while responding to inquiries on Thursday.

“Investigation is ongoing on the matter,” Oyewale said.

The development follows reports that the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had commenced investigations into the utilisation of the intervention fund approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to clear outstanding wages and bonuses owed to players of Nigeria’s national teams.

A top source familiar with the matter told our correspondent on Thursday that some officials linked to the fund had been invited by investigators and had provided statements.

The source, however, did not disclose the identities of the officials invited or indicate whether any arrest had been made.

The investigation comes amid renewed developments at the NFF, following the resignation of its President, Ibrahim Gusau, after three years and 11 months in office.

Recall Gusau announced his resignation at a news conference in Abuja, saying his decision followed consultations with his family and friends.

“I have decided to resign my position as the president of NFF, after consultations with my family and friends.

“I have also advised my board members, those who are willing, to resign as well,” he said.

He, however, said he could not immediately confirm the number or identities of board members who had resigned, explaining that those affected had yet to communicate their decisions directly to him.

Gusau’s resignation came amid concerns over Nigeria’s recent performances in international football.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, while the Super Falcons also missed out on qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria’s age-grade teams have equally struggled, with the Golden Eaglets failing to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in three consecutive editions.

Despite his resignation, Gusau said he would continue to contribute to the development of Nigerian football through his experience and relationships within African football.

“For me, I want to make it clear that, by the grace of God, we will continue to give our contribution.

“Our experience, connections and relationships within African football will never go in vain. We will do our best to ensure that whenever we are needed, we will contribute to the progress of Nigerian football,” he said.

Gusau also highlighted what he described as achievements of his administration in coaching education, league administration, refereeing and infrastructure development.

He said the NFF conducted several coaching programmes, including CAF B and C Licence courses and a Coaching Instructors’ Course, while the CAF A Licence programme was scheduled to commence on September 16.

On refereeing, Gusau said the federation introduced young officials into the system and provided opportunities for their training and development.

He noted that Nigerian referees had recently featured at major continental and global competitions, including the Under-17 World Cup and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Gusau also identified inadequate infrastructure as one of the major challenges facing Nigerian football, saying his administration prioritised the development of facilities through funds available under FIFA development programmes.

“As a board, we sat down and identified infrastructure as one of our greatest needs. We also recognised the need for permanent accommodation and training facilities for our national teams, and we are currently working on that,” he said.

He said he remained committed to supporting efforts to advance Nigerian football whenever his contribution was required. (Punch)