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Presidency reacts to Onaiyekan’s comment, says he’s not speaking for Christians, insists Catholics supporting Obi

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The Presidency has rubbished comments by Cardinal John Onaiyekan criticising the administration of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the Catholic cleric was expressing a personal and political opinion rather than speaking on behalf of Christians in Nigeria.

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, made the remarks in a post on his X account on Saturday.

Bwala’s comments came in response to Onaiyekan’s criticism of the Tinubu administration after the recent visit of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, to the President.

The cardinal had accused the government of being more focused on winning by all means than addressing the country’s challenges.

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Reacting, Bwala alleged that Onaiyekan was speaking for the Catholic Church and not the entire Christian community, claiming that the institution largely supported Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during the 2023 election.

He argued that the cardinal’s comments were political rather than spiritual, adding that not all Catholics supported Obi during the election.

According to Bwala, President Tinubu was within his rights to disagree with the bishops’ assessment of Nigeria’s economy, maintaining that the administration’s position was backed by “facts, statistics and numbers.”

The presidential spokesman also contended that there is a broader Christian body comprising different denominations, including the Catholic Church and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, whose position, he said, should remain neutral rather than political.

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Bwala said: “Cardinal Onaiyekan, wasn’t speaking for Christian’s, he was speaking for Catholics, the very institutions rooting for Peter Obi @PeterObi infact likely the institution where Peter Obi also said in 2022 “take back your country “.

“Therefore , Cardinal is more political than spiritual. And not all catholic members are supporting peter Obi. The president @officialABAT was well within his right to disagree with their assertion as regards Nigeria’s economy based purely on facts, stats and numbers factored into context.

“Ironically, the same priest would rebuke their members if the members said “we are suffering or we are poor” they would tell them to rather say “we are doing great and or we are rich even when they are suffering or poor”

“There is a body comprising all Christian’s including the Catholics and catholic bishops conference and that body’s position is neutral and should be so, otherwise it is political.”

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SAD! Nigerian popular General Overseer is dead

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Pastor Adamson Aromaegbe, the founder and General Overseer of Rock Word Church and Dominion International, has died.

Aromaegbe, who was based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, reportedly died on Friday, August 21, 2026.

His death was confirmed by the leadership of the church in a statement released on Sunday.

The statement was signed by Rev. Nnamdy Echezona and shared through the ministry’s official Facebook page.

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The church described the late pastor as a respected Christian leader who dedicated his life to preaching the gospel and building the ministry.

His work as a preacher, teacher, mentor and church leader reportedly influenced many people within and outside his ministry.

Following the announcement, the church called on members, friends and other supporters to pray for Aromaegbe’s family as they come to terms with his death.

Prayers were also requested for the church and members of the wider Dominion International family.

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The church said arrangements for the late pastor’s funeral and other activities to mark his death would be announced later.

Aromaegbe’s death has left members of Rock Word Church and Dominion International mourning the loss of a leader who had spent years working in Christian ministry.

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Security operatives rescue kidnap victims in Imo waste two suspects

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Security operatives comprising DSS officers, other agencies and local vigilantes have rescued a kidnap victim and neutralised two suspected kidnappers in Imo.

The Department of State Services (DSS) disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Owerri on Sunday.

According to the statement, the operatives rescued 29-year-old Ibeabuchi Adibenma, who was abducted in Orlu Local Government Area.

Adibenma was kidnapped at about 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, around Afor-Ogidi Market in Isiala Amaifeke community.

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The victim was reportedly returning from Umuna, Orlu market, when the armed assailants intercepted his vehicle near the market.

The attackers operated on two motorcycles and double-crossed the victim before forcing him to an undisclosed location.

Following the abduction, the kidnappers contacted Adibenma’s family and demanded N15 million ransom for his release.

However, on Aug. 20, security operatives launched a coordinated operation to rescue the victim from his abductors.

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According to the DSS, the operation led to Adibenma’s rescue at Ihioma Community in Orlu.

“Two suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate were neutralised during the operation, while two high-calibre weapons and ammunition were recovered.”

The rescued victim was subsequently taken into protective custody before being reunited with his family.

The DSS commended the coordinated efforts of the participating security agencies and local vigilantes in securing the victim’s safe release.

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The successful operation also highlights ongoing security efforts against kidnapping and other criminal activities in communities across Imo.

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Remains of popular Nollywood actor Ogogo arrives hometown, Ilaro for burial today

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The remains of Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have arrived in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, ahead of his burial on Monday.

The development was confirmed by some of those who accompanied the remains and through videos circulating on social media.

In one of the videos, one of Ogogo’s daughters was seen accompanying the remains. Traditional authorities were also present, with the staff of office of a traditional ruler brought to receive the late actor.

Ogogo’s remains were taken to Ilaro on Sunday following his death earlier that day at the age of 66.

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Veteran actor Jide Kosoko had announced on Sunday that Ogogo’s remains would be taken to Ilaro, where a lying in state ceremony would be held on Monday.

Jide said the ceremony would take place at 11am at the Pavilion in Ilaro.

The Ilaro Muslim Community also announced that the burial prayer would hold at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground at 10am on Monday, in accordance with Islamic rites.

Ogogo died at about 3pm on Sunday, after battling stage four cancer. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Kira Taiwo, during an emotional Instagram Live session.

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His death came only days after his daughters, Lima and Kira, publicly appealed for medical assistance for their father.

On August 17, Lima said the actor was battling stage four cancer and appealed to hospitals, medical professionals and other well wishers to help the family find treatment for him. She said his condition had deteriorated and that some hospitals had refused to continue treating him.

The family had also previously dismissed reports that Ogogo had died. On August 18, Lima described the report as false after a social media post claimed that the actor had passed away.

Ogogo, who was born in Ilaro, built a career spanning several decades as an actor, filmmaker and director and became one of the recognised figures in cinema.

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