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Nigerians Are In Pains Because We Chose Darkness In Place Of Light — Bishop Kukah
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has stated that Nigerians are pains because they refused to be liberated from “darkness.”
The priest said this in his Christmas message at the Holy Family Cathedral Catholic Church, Sokoto Diocese on Tuesday night.
He emphasised that embracing transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service, politics, and individual conduct could significantly improve the country’s current state.
He said, “Nigeria’s lack of visible and measurable progress is tied to the fact that we have chosen darkness rather than light.
“Imagine if we let the light shine on our public service, on our politics, on our individual, community, and national life, and on our public institutions. Imagine what Nigeria would be like if we chose light instead of darkness.
“They will know we are Christians by our love,” highlighting that the country’s journey to greatness remains constrained by ethnicity, nepotism, and greed.
“We are still unable to embrace the ideals of our national anthem that says: ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ Diversity is a gift from God. Let us use it effectively as a tool for national mobilization and cohesion,” he advised.
Kukah also lauded the passage of the “Not Too Young to Run Bill” in 2018, which opened doors for increased youth participation in politics.
However, he acknowledged the ongoing challenges, such as the high costs of political participation and issues of internal democracy, which still hinder young people’s active engagement.
He also commended the enactment of the Student Loan Act 2024 and the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund by the federal government.
These initiatives, he noted, have the potential to expand opportunities for Nigerian youth, including those pursuing vocational and technical skills.
“It is significant that the Act does not limit access to university students alone. We hope this project will be free of bureaucratic bottlenecks and favoritism, ensuring that poverty does not exclude anyone from receiving a good education,” Kukah said.
He encouraged the youth to take full advantage of these opportunities while also expressing concern about the ongoing security challenges in the country, which he described as a persistent obstacle to national stability.
Kukah, however, called on all Nigerians to choose the path of light, unity, and love, stressing that these values are essential for the nation’s progress and development.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has nabbed a renowned business executive and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu.
Her legal team made this known in a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, her lawyer had reportedly told the Federal High Court in Abuja that she had already stated in her court documents that she would visit the EFCC today in connection with its ongoing investigation into an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to respond to allegations related to an ongoing investigation.
The court also directed that she must be present before it on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to continue proceedings in the matter.
The Chairman of Ward 1 of the Labour Party (LP) in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Okasime Olowojoba, has been kidnapped while traveling along the Auchi-Benin-Ibillo Road.
The incident occurred on Saturday near Sasaro, a location notorious for frequent cases of abduction. Olowojoba, who also works as a realtor, was reportedly returning to Igarra after visiting Auchi to pick up his children following their holiday break.
According to reports, the assailants initially seized everyone in the vehicle — Olowojoba, his children, and a house help — but later freed the children and the domestic aide, taking only Olowojoba deep into the forest.
A family member speaking with Vanguard on Monday revealed that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N50 million for his release.
The source explained, “Valentine Okasime Olowojoba was returning with his children when he was ambushed and kidnapped around Sasaro. The lack of network service throughout Saturday delayed any contact with the kidnappers until Sunday afternoon.”
“The attackers abandoned the vehicle at the scene and took him away. His brother later confirmed that a N50 million ransom has been demanded. We also heard reports of additional abductions in the same area on Sunday,” the source added.
Efforts to reach the Edo State Police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered.
Vanguard
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N1 billion suit instituted against former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele over the hardships that trailed the 2023 Naira redesign policy.
The judge threw out the suit instituted by an Abuja based legal practitioner, Uthman Isa Tochukwu on the grounds of lack of diligent prosecution of the case.
In a ruling on Monday, Justice Ekwo said that he was convinced that the plaintiff had deliberately abandoned his own case due to his persistent absence in court without legal representation and any explanation.
The plaintiff in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/418/2023 had dragged the former President, Attorney General of the Federation, former governor of the CBN, CBN and two commercial banks before the court claiming that they inflicted series of hardships on him during the redesign of the Naira.
In the suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, Bala Dakum, the plaintiff alleged that his fundamental rights to freedom of movement and dignity of his person were violently breached.
Specifically, the legal practitioner claimed his movement was curtailed while his money in the two commercial banks could not be assessed during the hardship occasioned by the redesign of the Naira in January and March 2023.
He therefore prayed the court to award N1 billion damages against the defendants to be paid to him for the breach of his fundamental rights.
However, at Monday’s proceedings, both the plaintiff and his counsel were not in court and did not offer any excuse for their absence.
Counsel to the 3rd and 4th defendants (Emefiele and CBN) Mr Chikelue Amasiani drew the attention of Justice Ekwo to the persistent absence of the plaintiff and his counsel in court during past proceedings.
He prayed the judge to strike out the suit and that the plaintiff can come back to revive the case when ready to show seriousness.
In a brief ruling, Justice Ekwo agreed with the lawyer and struck out the suit.
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