The Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Benue State has announced the indefinite closure of its schools, healthcare facilities and parish in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area, following repeated attacks on church properties.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The diocese also ordered the withdrawal of priests, religious personnel, teachers, healthcare workers and other staff, explaining that it could no longer guarantee their safety amid the persistent security concerns.

The decision was announced in a pastoral letter and decree dated October 12, 2026, signed by the Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. William A. Avenya, and the diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende.

According to the letter, students’ hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School in Ihugh were set ablaze on four separate occasions.

The incidents reportedly occurred on October 28, 2025; May 10 and May 15, 2026; and October 11, 2026.

“Over a considerable period, the Catholic institutions in Ihugh have suffered repeated disturbances, attacks and acts of destruction,” Avenya stated.

The bishop explained that the attacks had destroyed students’ accommodation and damaged years of investment in the institutions, while exposing students, teachers and other workers to significant danger.

He also raised concerns over repeated burglaries at St. Winifred Parish and criminal incidents reported at St. Thomas Hospital.

The pastoral letter further disclosed that some members of the community had displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding the withdrawal of Reverend Sisters during the hospital’s reopening on June 21, 2024.

The diocese described these incidents as part of a recurring pattern of hostility that had created fear among its workers and people who depend on its services.

Avenya said the church had made several efforts to resolve the situation through consultations with traditional rulers, community leaders, government authorities and security agencies.

However, he noted that the engagements had failed to produce the desired outcome, leaving the diocese with no option but to shut down the affected institutions and withdraw its personnel.

The facilities affected by the decision include St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Centre and Hospital Chaplaincy, as well as St. Winifred Parish in Ihugh.

The bishop confirmed that the closures would remain in effect indefinitely.

He added that arrangements would be made to help affected students continue their education at other Catholic institutions.

Similarly, patients who would ordinarily receive treatment at St. Thomas Hospital would be referred to alternative healthcare facilities, while staff members would be redeployed as necessary.

The diocese maintained that the measures were taken to safeguard its personnel and protect those who rely on its educational, medical and pastoral services.

Popular Nigerian comedian and Nollywood actor Okey Bakassi has debunked reports claiming that his marriage has broken down.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports emerged over the weekend alleging that the entertainer had divorced his wife.

According to the claims circulating online, Bakassi’s wife had moved to the United States to study nursing, while the actor remained in Nigeria, working and sending money to support her education for 15 years before she allegedly requested a divorce.

However, Bakassi has dismissed the reports as fake news, describing them as an attempt to disrespect him and his family.

In a video shared on his social media accounts, the comedian explained that the false claims had prompted numerous calls from friends, relatives and fans across the world seeking clarification about the state of his marriage.

The actor reassured his supporters that he and his wife were still together, stressing that his wife and children remained the most important people in his life.

He said, “While I was on set today filming a new movie with my colleagues, someone was busy on social media trying to disrespect me and my family. Someone went on social media and created an article with my name, my picture and that of my wife, alleging that we have gone our separate ways.

“And since then, friends, family and fans have been calling me from all over the world, calling my wife with this troubling news.

“Please, let me say to our friends, family and fans, my wife and I, we are still together. God forbid anything will ever happen to us. Everyone knows that my wife and family are very special to me; we just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has included the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; and Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, in its expanded presidential campaign council for the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to reports, President Bola Tinubu is expected to inaugurate the campaign council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

Under the revised arrangement, Wike has been assigned responsibility for coordinating campaign activities in Rivers State and the FCT. Soludo and Adeleke will oversee campaign activities in Anambra and Osun states, respectively.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has been appointed Deputy National Coordinator I, with responsibility for stakeholder mobilisation in the South-West.

The appointments bring politicians affiliated with other political parties into the APC’s presidential campaign structure.

Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Soludo secured a second term in November 2025 under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Adeleke, meanwhile, won re-election on August 16 under the Accord Party.

The expanded council also features changes to several leadership positions contained in the initial list released on August 22.

In the original arrangement, former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari was appointed Director-General, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni were named deputy directors-general.

However, the revised structure assigns Akpabio, Abbas and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq the positions of Deputy Vice-Chairmen I, II and III, respectively.

Buni has been moved to the position of Deputy Director-General I for the North, while Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin will serve as Deputy Director-General II for the region.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu have also been appointed Deputy Directors-General I and II for the South, respectively.

The revised list further names all 32 APC governors as campaign coordinators in their respective states.

In Oyo State, the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Alli, will coordinate campaign activities. Similarly, Mohammed Abubakar, the APC’s governorship candidate in Bauchi State, and Chijioke Chukwu, the party’s flagbearer in Abia State, have been assigned coordination responsibilities in their respective states.

The campaign council also features 14 advisers, including former APC National Chairman Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, former senator Florence Ita-Giwa, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former APC National Secretary Iyiola Omisore and former Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) revised timetable, campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections commenced on August 19 and are scheduled to end on January 14, 2027.

Tinubu is expected to face other presidential contenders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The expanded campaign council is expected to coordinate the APC’s mobilisation efforts and political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The full list of campaign council members contains the complete details of the appointments and assigned responsibilities.