NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Tinubu arrives Rome for inauguration of Pope Leo XIV
Religious

Tinubu arrives Rome for inauguration of Pope Leo XIV

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By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Rome, Italy, on Saturday to join other world leaders at the solemn mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

The installation mass of the 267th Bishop of Rome and the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church will take place on Sunday, May 18.

President Tinubu was received at the Mario De Bernardo Military Airport by Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and officials from Vatican City and the Nigerian Embassy after the plane touched down at 6.00 p.m. local time.

Tinubu is in Rome to honour the new Pope’s invitation, conveyed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.

The Papal invitation underscored the need for Tinubu’s physical presence “at this moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and the world afflicted by many tensions and conflicts.”

“Your great nation is particularly dear to me as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s,” Pope Leo XIV further said in the invitation.

President Tinubu’s entourage includes the Archbishop of Owerri and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, and Alfred Martins of Lagos.

Mathew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, is also in the president’s entourage. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Celestial church group unveils founder’s logo 40 years after death
Religious

Celestial church group unveils founder’s logo 40 years after death

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By Abiodun Abegunde

The True Word In Season, a group in the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) National Headquarters, Makoko, has unveiled its founder’s logo 40 years after his passing.

Unveiling the logo in Lagos on Thursday, the Shepherd in Charge, Afis Kiki, said that the event was to commemorate the 40th transition anniversary of the founder, Samuel Oshoffa.

Kiki said that the anniversary with the theme “Oshoffa the Sent, the Enigmatic Man”, would herald activities like 116 days testimony of the encounter and experience of the late founder on paper.

He also said that there would be a three-day prayer and praise, juvenile Bible test of knowledge in the tenent and doctrine of CCC and juvenile choir competition.

Similarly, the Convener of the event, Samuel Ademola, said that the church was planning a documentary on the lives and times of the founder.

Ademola said that the essence of the anniversary was about revealing the legacies of the founder to upcoming generations.

According to him, this is in order to bridge the gap between the present generation and upcoming generations and bring to the consciousness of the public the identity of the founder.

“We also expect the breeze of tension presently in the church to be curtailed after the 116 days testimony of the encounter and experience of the founder is shared with the flock as well as a high level of sanity and proper revamping of our minds in the right direction.’’

He added that the church was not fetish as being believed by some persons.

Speaking on its special presentation, “Music and its Effect on the Generation 40 Years after Papa SBJ,’’ a musician, Seyi Solagbade, said that everyone needed to understand the culture of music of the church.

Solagbade stressed the need for members to embrace the musical culture heaven gave to the church, adding that there was the need for all to understand the kind of musical rhythm associated with the church.

In the same vein, Mawuyon Ogun, another musician, said that the Celestial music was glorious, adding that growing, back in the day, Celestial youths measured themselves with spiritual food before physical food. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker

Oyo Muslim group disburses N6.5m Zakat to less privileged
Religious

Oyo Muslim group disburses N6.5m Zakat to less privileged

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By Suleiman Shehu

Some Muslim professionals and businessmen in Oyo State, operating under the auspices of The Companion, on Sunday, disbursed M6.5 million as Zakat to the underprivileged Muslims in Ibadan.

Zakat is the fourth pillar of Islam, obligatory on wealthy Muslims to remove a certain percentage of their wealth once in a year and share to the poor in society.

Speaking during the exercise, the Amir of the group, Oyo District, Alhaji Nurain Zakariyah, said the gesture was to assist the needy Muslims.

According to Zakariyah, the association was established to promote Islam and one of its objectives is Zakat distribution.

He said that the association had branches in Abuja, Oyo, Kwara, Osun, Lagos, and Cross River.

He also said that the distribution of Zakat was being carried out simultaneously in other branches.

He said that a grand sum of N114 million would be distributed as Zakat across all the branches.

The amir said that N6.5 million Zakat would be distributed to the less privileged in the state, while the beneficiaries would receive between N100,000 and N300,000.

He said that the distribution, which was the fifth edition, had impacted positively on the lives of the beneficiaries.

He urged wealthy Muslims in the country to ensure they pay Zakat in order to reduce poverty among the Muslim population.

In a remark, the group’s Chairman of the Organising Committee, Alhaji Abdulwakeel Olaniyi, said that 77 applications were received by the committee but 48 were considered for the Zakat.

Olaniyi said that the beneficiaries comprised 29 females and 19 males.

Earlier in a lecture, the Missioner of the association, Dr Mubasir Yusuf, said that it was obligatory on wealthy Muslims to obey the commandment of God and pay Zakat.

Yusuf also said that many wealthy Muslims neglected the payment of Zakat because they were very weak in faith and ignorant of its consequences.

He said that Zakat, if rightly adhered to by wealthy Muslims, would purify their wealth and also reduce hardship in society, especially among Muslims.

Also speaking, the association’s former Amir, Dr Bashir Olanrewaju, called on the beneficiaries to make judiciously use of the fund in order for them to be givers of Zakat in future.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Mr Kazeem Akindele and Mrs Taiwo Badmus commended the association for their assistance and promised that they would ultilise the money well. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Sam Oditah

Life Impact Church holds free medical outreach to mark 17th anniversary
Religious

Life Impact Church holds free medical outreach to mark 17th anniversary

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By Ezra Musa

As part of activities to mark its 17th anniversary celebration, the Life Impact Church held a free medical outreach.

Speaking during the event in Kaduna, Senior Pastor of the Church, Linus Midalla, said the outreach was part of its commitment to giving back to the community.

“This is the third edition of our medical outreach. We organise it twice a year and plan to expand it in the future, as God enables us,” he said.

Midalla explained that the programme was initiated after the church realised that many people in the community were facing health challenges,  but could not access proper medical care.

“As a church, we discovered that we can pray, care, and also give back to society. That is what motivated us to embark on this outreach,” he said.

He stated that the outreach provided free consultations, medications, and referrals to hospitals for cases requiring advanced medical attention.

“The doctors and nurses involved are seasoned professionals who are well-known and currently serving in the state,” he added.

The pastor emphasised the need for a balanced approach to healing by combining faith and medicine.

“I have prayed for people and seen them healed. I believe in divine healing. However, if your faith cannot carry you, seek medical help,” he advised.

Midalla said the church also distributed clothes and other items to members of the community during the outreach.

He reaffirmed the church’s commitment to continuous service to humanity, saying the initiative would be sustained and scaled up in future editions.

Ms Barbara Nangmaro, a member of the church and official in the Sanitation Department, said the outreach was a reflection of the church’s mandate to make positive impacts on lives.

She mentioned that the outreach, which included free medical services, clothings, water and other items, was made possible through contributions from church members and supporters.

She said the church leveraged its internal resources, including a team of qualified medical professionals, who were also members of the congregation.

A beneficiary, Mrs Martha Silas, said the programme was beneficial as it made her more aware of her health status.

“If not for this, I wouldn’t have known some hidden ailments inside me. So, it made me more aware of my health,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Josephine David, described the outreach as timely and impactful.

“It is a good programme. Some of us didn’t know if we were sick or not, until we came for the medical check-up and got to know our health status.

“After examining us, they knew what steps to take,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Bashir Rabe Mani

Shettima launches 2025 Hajj in Imo
Religious

Shettima launches 2025 Hajj in Imo

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By Peter Okolie

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, on Friday, launched the 2025 National Hajj Pilgrimage, urging the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the country.

In a speech at the ceremony, held at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Owerri, Shettima called for collective efforts to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

He emphasised the need for the country to learn from past exercises and avoid issues of negligence.

He urged those charged with logistical operations and support to see their responsibility as a trust from God, ensuring that every pilgrim departed and returned with heart full of gratitude.

He charged the pilgrims to see themselves beyond being spiritual travellers.

“You are ambassadors of Nigeria. You carry with you not only yourself but also the pride and dignity of this nation.

“The president in his characteristic foresight has made available all the necessary resources to ensure the success of the 2025 Hajj,” the vice president said.

He affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protect, support and elevate every Nigerian.

Shettima, however, commended Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo for fostering an atmosphere of religious tolerance, mutual respect and inclusion, and his commitment to the Nigerian project.

In a speech, Uzodimma said the airlift of the 315 pilgrims from Imo, Abia, and Bayelsa marked the first international flight from Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.

“This airport, built over 40 years ago through communal contributions and collective effort, is widely recognised as the first of its kind in Africa.

“That it now serves as a departure point for an international pilgrimage reflects not just our history, but how far we have come,” he said.

The governor also said that on assumption of office, his administration resolved to ensure the airport met international aviation standards.

He said: “We upgraded the runway, installed night-landing equipment, strengthened the aviation security, and rebuilt the access road, now named Bola Tinubu Drive.

“These steps were taken deliberately to reposition the airport for full international operations.

“I thank President Tinubu for the approvals that made this possible.

“I also acknowledge the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and his team for their support.

“We are grateful to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria for choosing Imo as the host of this year’s inaugural flight,” he further said.

The governor charged the intending pilgrims, who were the first Nigerians to depart for Hajj in 2025, to travel in the spirit of the mission, uphold discipline, reverence, and national honour that the journey required.

“You carry not just your personal intentions, but the image of your state and country,” he said.

He said that the maiden Hajj flight also highlighted Imo as a state that embraces diversity, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Uzodimma disclosed that Christian pilgrims would also depart for the Holy Land from the same airport in June, “underlining, yet again, our shared values of faith and unity”.

He said the launch opened a new economic window for Imo, with improved infrastructure and rising investor confidence, boosting business and tourism prospects.

He said that the Oguta Lake dredging was underway, with an expansion in the energy access, leveraging gas reserves for inclusive and sustainable growth.

He also commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria for its effort in facilitating the pilgrimage.

In a remark, the Sultan of Sokoto and President, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, expressed gratitude to Uzodimma for his role in ensuring the successful hosting of the event.

Abubakar also thanked him for consistently accommodating all faiths in the state.

He urged the intending pilgrims to pray for Nigeria’s leaders, peace, stability and unity in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sam Oditah

Preserve pride, dignity of Nigeria in Saudi Arabia – Shettima tells Pilgrims
Religious

Preserve pride, dignity of Nigeria in Saudi Arabia – Shettima tells Pilgrims

188 total views today
By Salisu Sani-Idris
Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Friday admonished Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj to preserve the pride and dignity of the country during their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Shettima gave the admonition at the inauguration of the first batch of pilgrims at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo.
“Our dear intending pilgrims, know that you are more than spiritual travellers. You are ambassadors of Nigeria.
“You carry with you, not only your faith, but also the pride and dignity of this nation.
“Your conduct, your devotion, and your unity must reflect the values we hold dear.
This responsibility is not light. It is noble,” he said.
Shettima assured the pilgrims that President Bola Tinubu had made available all the necessary resources to ensure the success of the 2025 Hajj.
He said that the President’s commitment reflects his administration’s covenant with the people to protect, support, and to elevate every Nigerian, in every sphere of life.
He, therefore, urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and all stakeholders in hajj operation to work together to deliver the burden of expectations upon the government.
“The success of this Hajj operation rests on all our shoulders.
“If any of us falters, whether a logistical officer who overlooks a detail or a pilgrim who forgets the dignity of the flag he carries, the consequences could turn what should be a joyful experience into yet another avoidable catastrophe.
“We must not let that happen,” he said.
Shettima commended Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, for fostering the atmosphere of religious tolerance, mutual respect, and inclusion.
According to him, Uzodinma’s support is both heartening and symbolic of a nation coming into harmony with itself.
Earlier, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also commended Uzodinma for promoting religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence in the state.
“This event is a big statement that in this blessed country called Nigeria we still have people like the Governor of Imo State who stood up so tall to ensure that this programme holds in Imo.
“It is a testament to anybody who really wants to see what Nigeria is all about.
“At this place there are Christians and even non believers who don’t even believe in Allah all seated to be part of this national programme.
“It is not just a programme for the Muslims. I believe this is an important message to all and sundry that if we really want our country to move forward we have to respect one another,” he said.
The Sultan reiterated the importance of religious tolerance and harmony in moving the nation forward. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
2025 Hajj: Committee inspects pilgrims feeding facilities
Religious

2025 Hajj: Committee inspects pilgrims feeding facilities

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By Deji Abdulwahab

The Madina feeding committee, headed by Alhaji Abdullahi Kabir, has inspected the kitchens contracted to serve Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj operation.
This is contained in a statement by Suwaiba Ahmed, the Information Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Friday in Abuja.
Ahmed noted that the committee conducted the NAHCON Advance Team, led by the Madina Coordinator, Alhaji Abdulkadir Oloyin, round the seven kitchens contracted for the Hajj feeding operation.
She said that the inspection was to ascertain their readiness of caterers to serve Nigerian pilgrims, adding that the team also focused on hygiene, quality and quality of the food as well as the facilities.
The NAHCON information officer said that among the areas inspected at the facilities were the cleanliness and equipments as well as workforce in order to determine effective delivery during the Hajj operations.
She said that Oloyin had met with the contractors and raised the issue of food packaging, where he said some of the caterers use sub-standard plastic containers.
“The meeting agreed on a particular packaging to be used uniformly by all the caterers.
“Oloyin also reiterated the importance of the following; the menu given to them by NAHCON as well as delivering the food to the pilgrims’ accommodation on time, saying there will be consequences on violators.
“Meanwhile the committee in charge of accommodation is working tirelessly to ensure that everything is in place before the arrival of the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims into Saudi Arabia scheduled to start on May 9, 2025.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
White smoke emerges as a new Pope is elected
Foreign , Religious

White smoke emerges as a new Pope is elected

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By Magdalene Ukuedojor

With white smoke now billowing from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, it’s clear the voting process has concluded and the cardinals have chosen a successor to Pope Francis.

We don’t yet know who has been selected, but it will become clear when they emerge on the balcony of the Sistine Chapel, likely within the hour.

The electing cardinals have now chosen a new pope and things will move pretty swiftly now.

Now that white smoke has appeared, the new pontiff will normally appear on the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square in the next hour.

The new pope is now being led to a small room next to the Sistine Chapel where he will put on the white papal robes.

The senior cardinal will soon confirm the decision with the words “Habemus Papam” – Latin for “we have a Pope” – and introduce the new pontiff by his chosen papal name.

Meanwhile huge cheers bellow from the crowd as the white smoke rises, everyone is running forward to see it.

People are jumping up with joy while some are praying to the sky.

The bells are ringing so loudly it’s reverberating around St Peter’s Square as people cheer and scream with joy. Reuters/NAN

How the conclave will elect the new pope
Religious

How the conclave will elect the new pope

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Shaped by centuries-old rituals, the conclave to choose a successor to the late Pope Francis is set to begin on Wednesday.

A ringing of bells will accompany puffs of white smoke announcing that a new pontiff has been chosen to lead the world’s Roman Catholics.

However, before that can happen, the conclave must be held.

The name of the election procedure derives from the Latin “cum clave” (with a key) and refers to the tradition of locking cardinals in a room until they agree upon a new pope.

As usual, voting will take place in the Michelangelo-frescoed Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.

Cardinals will swear an oath of secrecy about the proceedings and seal themselves off from the world.

To prevent any outside influence from affecting the election, the men will not be allowed to read newspapers, watch television, listen to the radio, exchange mail or use telephones and computers.

During the conclave, cardinals will be housed in Saint Martha House, a residence inside the Vatican built in the 1990s also used for the previous conclave.

Before 2005, cardinals had to sleep in cramped conditions in the Apostolic Palace, the pope’s official residence.

Theoretically, any baptized male Catholic is eligible to become pope. In practice, however, the conclave will elect one of the members of the College of Cardinals.

There is no official list of candidates for the papacy. Each cardinal simply writes the name of the person he favours on a slip headed with the words “Eligo in summum pontificem… ” (I vote for … as pope).

Cardinals are encouraged to disguise their handwriting to prevent anyone from knowing where their sympathies lie.

One ballot is held on the first day, followed by four on each successive day.

From ballot to ballot, support builds for various figures, making the outcome clearer until the needed two-thirds majority is reached.

Should no pope have been elected after three days, there must be an interruption of no more than a day to retire for prayer and “informal conversation among the electors,” as John Paul II directed in his 1996 document “Universi Dominici Gregis” (The Lord’s Whole Flock).

The most senior cardinal addresses the conclave.

Three urns will be used for voting. One is used to collect the cardinal’s ballot papers; another one to hold them after they have been counted; and a third may be brought to cardinals confined to Saint Martha House owing to illness or frailty.

Ballot papers are strung together and burned after each vote. When dark smoke rises from the Sistine chimney, this is a signal that no pope has been elected.

Though conclaves have in the past lasted months, and even years, in recent history they have never taken more than a week.

Once the necessary majority is achieved, the would-be pope is asked if he accepts the post. If he says yes, he assumes office from that moment and is asked to state the name he has chosen to use as pope – generally that of a former pontiff or of a beloved saint.

White smoke then rises from the Sistine Chapel, in a sign to the outside world that a pope has at last been elected.

At this point, the cardinal protodeacon, who at the time of Francis’ death was French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, will appear from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to announce to the world: “Habemus papam” (We have a pope). (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Waqf: Al-Habibiyyah unveils Islamic blueprint for sustainable development
General News , Religious

Waqf: Al-Habibiyyah unveils Islamic blueprint for sustainable development

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By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS) has unveiled a bold and inclusive Islamic initiative aimed at tackling poverty and accelerating community growth/national development.

The National Chief Imam of AIS, Sheik Fuad Adeyemi, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at a workshop for management staff of the organisation ahead of the inauguration of the Al-Habibiyyah Waqf Foundation and other developmental projects.

According to Adeyemi, Waqf is a strategic Islamic charitable endowment involving the dedication of assets or properties whose benefits are channeled toward community development.

He said that income generated from the Waqf assets are used for humanity and public good such as building schools, Mosques, healthcare or supporting less privileged in the society.

The Imam highlighted how businesses can be endowed through Waqf to ensure continuity, serve humanitarian causes and tackle poverty in the country.

He said “if you notice in Nigeria, almost all the businesses, the moment the owner dies, that is the end of the business.

“But with Waqf, you can endow the business in an Islamic way, and such business will be taken over
and be used for the good of the people.

“These are the things we want to promote for the benefit of humanity.”

Adeyemi said that aside the Waqf  Foundation, other developmental initiatives to be inaugurated include the “Faith and Philanthropy Initiative”, in collaboration with McArthur Foundation.

Others are the Al-Habibiyyah Rural Initiative, Estate Planning and Allied Services (EPAS), Diaspora Support Services, Volunteer Mobilisation and African Mosque Forum.

He explained that AIS would collaborate with business associations, strategic stakeholders such as the Corporate Affairs Commission and Islamic banks to drive the various initiatives.

He expressed confidence that the initiatives would provide sustainable, faith-based solutions to the challenges of poverty and underdevelopment across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was attended by development experts, Islamic scholars, business management experts and media consultants. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

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