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BREAKING: FG Suspends Christian Pilgrimage To Israel Over Security Concerns.
The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), has announced the immediate suspension of all Christian pilgrimages to Israel due to the worsening security situation in the Middle East.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Stephen Adegbite, made this known on Tuesday in Lagos while addressing journalists shortly after about 500 pilgrims returned to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport from the 2025 Main Pilgrimage.
Adegbite stated that the 2025 pilgrimage began on December 29, 2025, with the inaugural flight departing from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
He revealed that more than 4,000 Nigerian Christian pilgrims were successfully transported to the Holy Land during the exercise without any recorded incidents.
According to him, the Commission deployed a Boeing 777-300 aircraft with a capacity of 525 seats, noting that it was the largest aircraft ever used for a Christian pilgrimage airlift in Nigeria.
He described the 2025 pilgrimage as seamless and successful, attributing the achievement to strong coordination and government backing.
However, despite the smooth completion of the main exercise, Adegbite said fresh military developments in Israel and the broader Middle East had necessitated the suspension of subsequent trips.
“You are aware of the latest security developments in Israel and the wider Middle East,” he said.
“In view of the state of emergency declared by Israeli authorities and restrictions on public gatherings, the Commission has decided to suspend all pilgrimages, both by the Commission and private operators, until the security situation improves.”
He stressed that the safety and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims remain paramount, adding that no further travel would be approved until Israel is deemed safe for international visitors.
The suspension, he explained, will remain in place until there is clear evidence of stability in the region.
Adegbite also urged Nigerians to refrain from protests or actions that could heighten tensions arising from the crisis.
“The Federal Government places high priority on peace and security. We advise Nigerians to remain calm and avoid actions that could jeopardise national security or diplomatic ties,” he said.
He assured that the Commission is closely monitoring developments and will provide updates once the situation stabilises.
The NCPC boss expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented support for both Christian and Muslim pilgrimage programmes.
He also acknowledged the roles played by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in ensuring the success of the 2025 pilgrimage.
Adegbite called on Christians and peace advocates to continue praying for calm in Jerusalem and across the Middle East to prevent a humanitarian crisis.
He reiterated that while pilgrimage is a significant spiritual commitment for many Nigerians, the nation’s interest and the safety of its citizens abroad will always come first.
Segun Sowunmi has questioned the ability of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, to genuinely understand and speak for Nigerians struggling with poverty, citing their years in public office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that Sowunmi made the remarks during an interview on Vanguard’s Politics Hub, where he discussed President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 general election and the opposition’s claim that the upcoming contest would be a battle between the ruling party and Nigerians.
Sowunmi specifically challenged Atiku’s ability to understand the plight of poor Nigerians, pointing to his tenure as vice president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.
He argued that Atiku’s lifestyle and political status had distanced him from the everyday struggles of ordinary citizens.
The political commentator described Atiku as having an “Emir complex”, which he used to characterise someone accustomed to being treated with respect and deference because of their powerful position.
According to Sowunmi, Atiku lacks the capacity to empathise with poor Nigerians and should not portray himself as their champion.
He said: “Up till today, Atiku was vice president 1999 to 2007, that’s when he stopped his vice presidency.
“Up till today, have you seen vice president that goes around the way Atiku is going around with convoy, in terms of his panache, Atiku is suffering from what you call an Emir complex.
“You know what an Emir complex is? That big man that everybody will just come and say, ‘Dan labayi; ranka dede;’ or an oba complex.
“So he has no capacity to know or empathise with the poor. He is not a patron deity of the poor.”
Sowunmi also criticised Amaechi, arguing that his lengthy career in government undermined his recent positioning as a voice for Nigerians experiencing economic hardship.
He questioned how someone who had spent much of his political career in public office could suddenly present himself as a leading advocate for the poor.
He added: “The opposition that all of their lives, they have just been eating from both sides of their mouths like Rotimi Amaechi, who spent the last 24 years, minus the time that they asked him to go and sit down somewhere; he has been in government, and suddenly Rotimi is the epitome that’s going to tell you that there’s poverty in Nigeria?”
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed optimism that the lingering crisis surrounding local government administration in the state will soon be resolved.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a statement shared on his account on Friday, the governor disclosed that discussions aimed at resolving the dispute had reached an advanced stage, adding that the Federal Government had given assurances of a positive outcome.
Adeleke also appealed to political stakeholders across the state to put past disagreements aside and work together towards the development and prosperity of Osun.
reports that the governor made the remarks shortly after inaugurating the Osun State Presidential Campaign Council for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
During the event, Adeleke called on members of the coalition to intensify their mobilisation efforts to secure more than the 1.5 million votes previously promised for Tinubu’s re-election.
However, he clarified that the political alliance involving the Accord Party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was limited to the presidential election.
According to him, his support for Accord Party candidates contesting the Senate, House of Representatives and Osun State House of Assembly elections in 2027 remains unchanged.
In his statement, the governor said:
“Yesterday, I inaugurated the Osun State Presidential Campaign Council for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT), with a renewed commitment to deliver more than the 1.5 million votes we earlier promised.
“Our rainbow coalition of Accord, APC and PDP is united solely for President Tinubu’s re-election in the January 2027 presidential election. This partnership does not extend to the legislative elections. My support for all Accord candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly remains unshaken.
“On the Osun local government crisis, negotiations are at an advanced stage. I have received the assurance of the Federal Government, and there will be positive developments soon.
“These are critical times that demand unity beyond political differences. From the pain of the past, we must unite for the prosperity of the future. Together, let us mobilise and deliver Osun for President Tinubu.”
Background Of The Osun Local Government Crisis
The crisis surrounding local government administration in Osun State has been marked by prolonged political, legal and financial disputes between Adeleke’s administration and the APC over the control and legitimacy of the state’s 30 local government councils.
Before leaving office in late 2022, former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola conducted local government elections that produced APC-backed chairmen and councillors.
However, after assuming office, Adeleke dissolved the council structures and introduced caretaker committees, a decision that triggered legal battles between the two political camps.
Conflicting rulings from the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal further complicated the dispute, creating uncertainty over the legitimacy of those claiming authority over the councils.
Recent developments have raised hopes that negotiations and political interventions, including peace efforts reportedly brokered by President Tinubu, could provide a lasting resolution to the crisis.
entertainment
Drama As Omotola’s Daughter Opens Up About Frustration Over Comparisons With Her Celebrity Mother.
Princess Ekeinde, daughter of popular Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has spoken about the pressure of constantly being compared to her famous mother and the expectations associated with growing up in a prominent family.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that Princess made the revelation during an appearance on The Chat show.
She explained that while children from wealthy and influential families may enjoy financial privileges and access to opportunities, they also face personal struggles that are often overlooked by the public.
According to her, being the first child and first daughter in her family comes with the responsibility of protecting the family’s reputation and upholding the legacy established by her parents.
Princess also lamented that people frequently compare her with her mother in terms of beauty, status, achievements and talent, while constantly asking whether she intends to pursue an acting career like Omotola.
Speaking on the show, she said:
“Us, nepo babies. Yes, it is good that we were born with a silver spoon; trust me, we have our struggles. People don’t actually see the struggles we face, but we have our own struggles.
“For me, it’s trying to keep my family legacy. You know, as the first child, the firstborn, and the first girl, the mantle is on me to represent my family and position myself and my family in the best light.
“People are always comparing me to my mum, whether it is status, beauty, or talent. People ask me if I am going to be an actress like my mother. And it’s so annoying; first of all, I am not Omotola, I am Princess. Let’s get this straight.”
Princess further explained that her mother ventured into acting because of her personal passion, stressing that her own career choices should not automatically be expected to follow the same path.
She added that being born into a famous family can sometimes deprive children of the freedom to live their lives without public scrutiny, as people often feel entitled to dictate their decisions, including their careers, dressing and relationships.
She said:
“Secondly, my mummy went into acting because that’s what she is passionate about. How are you sure that’s what I want to do with my life? At some point, your life no longer becomes your own. You share so much of your life with these people, and you feel like they own you.
“They own what you do, what you say, how you dress, the people you date. It’s ridiculous; there is a lot of pressure.”
The actress’s daughter also highlighted how Nigerian society often associates the actions of children from prominent families with their parents, rather than viewing them as individuals.
According to her, when children of celebrities make mistakes, the public often identifies them by their parents’ names, placing additional pressure on them to avoid damaging their families’ reputations.
She explained that instead of being recognised as Princess, individuals are frequently labelled as the daughters or sons of famous personalities, making it difficult for them to establish their own identities.
Princess noted that the fear of bringing shame or negative publicity to her family adds to the burden of growing up in the public eye.
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