Pope Francis’ funeral holds Saturday – Vatican
The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square.
This was according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Holy See Press Office.
According to the statement, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, “Will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.”
It added, “The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio. The late Pope Francis’ body will then be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment. Ahead of the funeral, the coffin containing the Pope’s body will be carried from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica.
“Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of translation on Wednesday, April 23, which will begin at 9:00 AM with a moment of prayer. The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, according to the Holy See Press Office.
“The procession will then exit through the Arch of the Bells into St. Peter’s Square and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door. At the Altar of the Confession, the Cardinal Camerlengo will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, at the conclusion of which the visits to the body of the Roman Pontiff will commence.”
Recall that the Vatican confirmed that the pontiff passed away on Easter Monday at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within Vatican City.
Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta on Monday morning.
Farrel said the Pope died at exactly 7.35 am.
Rivers: Pro-Fubara supporters protest, demand gov’s reinstatement
Hundreds of supporters of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, took to the streets on Tuesday in protest, demanding his reinstatement.
Clad in black and carrying placards with inscriptions such as, “Together we stand for Governor Sim Fubara”, “We want back our Governor, we all voted for”, Governor Fubara is the pride of Rivers People”, the protesters kicked off the march from Aggrey road, Old Port Harcourt Township.
This is the latest in a series of anti and pro-protests that have rocked the state since March 18, when President Bola Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in the state and suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state’s House of Assembly.
Details shortly…
Bandits kill 3, injure many in fresh Zamfara attack
At least, three people were reportedly killed and several others injured when armed bandits stormed Dole Moriki community in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Monday night.
The attackers, who arrived in large numbers, were said to have shot sporadically into the air, causing panic among residents.
The attack was revealed in a post by prominent security analyst, Bakatsine, on Tuesday.
According to him, the bandits killed three persons on the spot and left many others with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
“Bandits invaded Dole Moriki in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara yesterday night, killing three people and injuring several others. The attackers came in shooting sporadically,” Bakatsine wrote on X.
As of press time, Zamfara State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the attack.
Benue killings: Death toll hits 72
Death toll from the multiple attacks carried out by armed invaders on communities in Benue State has risen to 72.
This followed the recovery of 13 more bodies from the attacks on Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas of the state.
During his Easter remark in Makurdi, on Sunday, Governor Hyacinth Alia had acknowledged a total recovery of 59 bodies
However, the discovery of more bodies from surrounding bushes of the troubled communities increased the fatalities.
Principal Special Assistant (PSA) to Benue Governor on Media and Content Creation, Isaac Uzaan, who gave the update, said the bodies were found in both attacked local government areas.
Uzaan told our correspondent that 12 bodies were recovered from Ukum and the remaining one in Logo, making the number of fresh recovery 13, while the total fatalities now stands at 72.
Recall that many rural communities of Sankera axis comprising three LGAs of Ukum, Logo and Kastina-Ala came under attack between Thursday night and Friday morning, leading to the massacre of several individuals.
The Benue State Police Command on Friday evening reported 17 dead bodies recovered – 12 from Logo and five from Ukum – areas respectively.
“Don’t pressure someone’s son over this wedding” – Solomon Buchi advises women following Priscilla Ojo and Juma Jux’s wedding
Life coach, Solomon Buchi has advised women to desist from getting pressure because of the lavish wedding of Priscilla Ojo and her husband.
In a post sighted on Solomon Buchi’s page, he advised women not to burden their boyfriends or fiancé’s over following the wedding of Priscilla and Juma.
He further advised people to cut their coat according to their sizes emphasizing that everyone is not the same.
He wrote;
“As you celebrate Priscilla and Juma’s wedding, I hope you don’t burden someone’s son with obsessing and wanting that kind of wedding. I hope you only admire it from afar but are wise enough to know that you can’t have it that big and grand.”
”I hope you don’t let the social media buzz pressure you. Some will have a parlour wedding, some will have a fairly decent wedding, some will wear two outfits, and others will wear 20 outfits, but let everyone be wise enough to cut their coat according to their cloth.”
Man who staked ₦1m on Speed Darlington in celebrity match with Portable demands refund
A Nigerian man who placed a N1 million bet on Speed Darlington to defeat Portable in the recently concluded celebrity boxing match has publicly demanded a refund after losing his wager.
The incident surfaced in a video currently making waves on X (formerly Twitter).
In the clip, the man is seen expressing his frustration over the outcome of the match, stating that he is deeply unhappy after Speed Darlington’s loss.
He revealed that he had confidently staked N1 million on Speed Darlington to emerge victorious.
However, things took a different turn as Portable brutally defeated Speed Darlington, who also sustained an arm injury during the bout.
Despite the nature of the match, the bettor openly called on Speed Darlington to refund his money, saying: “Balance me my money back, I bet N1 million. I am not happy.”
As the video circulated online, social media users took to the comment section to share mixed reactions to the dramatic demand.
See some reactions below:
@Maobeee: “This is an older version of speed Darlington. Oga, go and sit down. Nobody asked you to go and bet in the name of speed Darlington you did that out of your own willingness. If you had one, would you have asked speed dialing thing to come and take part of the money?”
@gentlebjgiant: “The day I saw speed darlingtons’s training and portable’s training, I knew that day that portable will finish him within the first two rounds.”
@Success437769: “You don see where boxer dey wear singlet dey fight before.”
@XyzKins: “Fooling no get age limit.”
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Tunde Onakoya Breaks Guinness World Record for Longest Chess Marathon, Aims Higher for A Greater Cause
Nigerian chess champion and humanitarian, Tunde Onakoya, has officially broken the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon. Onakoya, alongside U.S. chess master Shawn Martinez, reached an incredible 62 hours of nonstop chess play on Sunday, April 21—surpassing the previous record of 61 hours.
The marathon began on Wednesday, April 17, at the iconic Times Square in New York City and continues as the duo aims to push beyond 70 hours, setting their sights on an even more remarkable milestone.
While breaking the world record is a monumental achievement, Onakoya emphasized that the true purpose of the marathon is far more profound. The event is a powerful campaign to raise awareness and funds for what he envisions as Nigeria’s largest free school for homeless children.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
“For all the dreamers! We’ve officially broken the record!”
He followed with a deeper message about the mission behind the feat:
“Every move, every hour, a love letter to children who’ve never known the luxury of a second chance… Not for applause. Not for records. But for the quiet dreamers who need to see someone leap—so they know it’s possible to fly.”
This is Onakoya’s second attempt at the prestigious world record. In April 2024, he and Martinez completed a 60-hour chess marathon, briefly holding the title before it was surpassed two months later by Norwegian players who reached 61 hours.
Now, a year later, the duo has not only reclaimed the title but also renewed their commitment to creating change through chess and compassion.
Onakoya’s achievement is being celebrated not just as a triumph in the world of chess, but as a beacon of hope for millions of children lacking educational opportunities. His story continues to inspire a generation of dreamers, changemakers, and those who believe in making impact with every move—on the board and in life.
As the clock ticks and the chess pieces continue to move, Onakoya invites the world to join the cause:
“If your heart has ever burned for something bigger than yourself, come find us. Stand with us.”
For updates and to support the mission, visit Chess in Slums Africa or follow Tunde Onakoya on social media.
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2027: Obi could be President under PDP, says Sowunmi
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Segun Sowunmi, has urged Peter Obi to return to PDP ahead of the 2027 presidential contest to brighten his chances.
However, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), has dismissed moves by some political actors to form a coalition with the aim of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, describing them as content creators.
Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, left the PDP in June 2022, citing inability to make “constructive contributions”.
In an interview with the ‘Mic On podcast’ hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, the PDP chief said “Obi needs a bigger platform” going forward.
“Looking ahead to 2027, the PDP of Nigeria will open its processes, announce when the forms are available, and anyone who feels confident enough to contest should step forward and do so.
“If I were Peter Obi, I would return to the PDP and make a strong case for the presidential ticket. I believe he should come back to the party. This party was originally conceived in the bedroom of (the late) Alex Ekwueme; so, I don’t understand why the Igbo, along with southern leaders and other influential figures within the PDP, can’t come together and say, ‘Alright, we recognise this – here’s the ticket.”
He noted that if Obi could secure over six million votes on his own, without governors or major support, just imagine what he could achieve with 12 governors and a solid grassroots infrastructure.
“We’ve covered every region, but we have not gone to the South East yet. Still, Obi is free to make his own decisions. If his numbers and the animated energy that is following him were to follow him into the PDP and he is the presidential candidate, I can guarantee you he would take the South East, South South, the Christian North and North Central,” he added.
The PDP stalwart clarified that he was only speaking hypothetically in response to a question about possible political alignments ahead of 2027.
RECENTLY, some political heavyweights in the opposition, including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, broached talks for a coalition that would oust the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, capital, yesterday, where the APC caucus in the state met to endorse the President for a second term, Adaramodu explained that Tinubu, in less than two years, initiated programmes and policies impacting positively on the citizens.
He lauded the President for his decisive economic reforms that revitalised the country’s economy as well as his comprehensive security strategies that, according to him, addressed insecurity in the country.
The Senate spokesman said APC was not disturbed about the movement of the opposition figures, describing it as a political entertainment that would not affect the expected victory of Tinubu.
He appealed to Nigerians not to take the promoters of the coalition for 2027 seriously, but remain committed and continue their support for Tinubu in his quest to deliver his Renewed Hope Agenda for the country.
Top five Nigerian banks gross N17.3 trillion, grow profit by 60%
Despite prevailing macroeconomic challenges, the top five Nigerian banks have posted a combined profit before tax (PBT) of N5.1 trillion for the 2024 financial year, a 59.4 per cent increase from N3.2 trillion recorded in 2023.
The top five banks – First HoldCo, United Bank for Africa (UBA), GTCO, Access Holdings and Zenith Bank –achieved pre-tax profit of N5.1 trillion, largely driven by high interest rate earnings, foreign exchange revaluation gains and strong non-interest income growth.
Data from their financial statements also showed that the five tier-1 banks’ pretax earnings rose from N1.1 trillion in 2022 to N3.2 trillion in 2023, indicating the banks’ ability to adapt and thrive in a dynamic economic environment.
Besides, the combined gross earnings of the top five lenders rose from N9.6 trillion in 2023 to N17.3 trillion last year, representing an increase of 80 per cent.
Zenith Bank emerged at the top with a pre-tax profit of N1.32 trillion, reflecting a solid 67 per cent increase from N796 billion recorded in 2023.
GTCO followed closely, posting a 107.8 per cent surge in pre-tax profit to N1.266 trillion, up from N609 billion the previous year.
Access Corp and UBA also posted strong performances, with pre-tax profits of N867 billion and N803.7 billion, respectively, surpassing their 2023 figures of N729 billion and N757.6 billion.
First HoldCo also recorded a 124 per cent leap in pre-tax profit, from N347.9 billion in 2023 to N781.9 billion in the previous year.
Operators believed that the resilience demonstrated by the banking sector is not only a testament to the adaptability of financial institutions but also an indication of future opportunities, especially for investors eyeing stable returns.
Although they argued that with interest rates expected to moderate and the naira projected to strengthen with reduced volatility, the banks’ profit margins could come under pressure this year.
However, the experts remained bullish on the sector, noting that banks with robust loan book growth and strong non-interest income strategies, especially those capitalising on trading activities, will likely remain attractive to investors.
Research analyst at Cowry Asset Management Limited, Charles Abuede, said Nigerian banks’ performance in the full year 2024 offers a positive signal for what lies ahead in 2025.
According to him, the strong topline and bottom-line growth recorded by most banks came despite prevailing regulatory and economic challenges, reflecting the sector’s strategic resilience. He attributed the surge in bank earnings primarily to expanded topline revenues and efficient treasury portfolio management, especially trading gains amid market volatility.
“The banks have consistently delivered stellar performances year after year, and 2024 was no exception. This time, high interest rates and currency fluctuations worked to their advantage.
“Also, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to raise the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to 50% forced banks to think creatively about liquidity management, leading many to issue short-term commercial papers as alternative funding sources,” he said.
The dynamics, Abuede explained, led to significant growth in customer deposits, loan portfolios and non-interest income streams, bolstered by elevated interest rates and windfall profits.
Abuede added that if the CBN pivots toward monetary easing in 2025 to support economic growth, as many analysts expect, the sector could experience slight margin compression.
“But even with tighter margins, we anticipate that the banks will still deliver respectable topline growth and profits,” he said.
An investment banker and stockbroker, Tajudeen Olayinka, said the 2024 year-end results confirm the banking sector’s inherent strength and its ability to thrive even in challenging economic times.
“Banks have shown they can perform under any condition, whether it is high inflation or slower GDP growth. This is because banking fundamentally revolves around liability generation and asset creation, making it a portfolio of opportunities in any economy,” he said.
Olayinka believed the sustainability of the strong performance is hinged on the continuity or expansion of economic opportunities.
Given the banks’ history of navigating headwinds and exploiting profitable avenues, he remains confident that the sector will maintain its momentum, especially if macroeconomic reforms begin to yield results.
Managing Director of Arthur Steven Asset Management Limited, Tunde Amolegbe, said the high interest rate environment naturally favours the banking industry.
“What we are seeing now is in line with expectations, banks tend to do very well when interest rates are elevated,” he noted.
He also pointed to the sector’s growing investment in digital and electronic banking as another revenue driver, especially through increased retail banking penetration.
“Most banks have recently raised substantial Tier-1 capital, which has expanded their total assets and positioned them to finance more profitable ventures,” Amolegbe said.
While acknowledging potential threats such as narrowing margins or policy risks, he maintained that as long as interest rates remain relatively high, the outlook for banks remains solid.
Portable Opens Up On Using ‘Juju’ To Defeat Speed Darlington In Celebrity Boxing Match
Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has responded to accusations of using diabolical powers to influence his victory during the celebrity boxing match against his colleague, Speed Darlington.
Naija News reports that Portable won the match title, ‘Chaos in the Rings’, after Speed Darlington failed to show up for the 2nd round due to his arm injury during the first round.
However, in a post-match message via his social media page, Speed Darlington claimed that Portable may have used diabolical powers to dislocate his arm, insisting his defeat was not ordinary.
He said, “I don’t know what exactly happened, maybe it was the juju that Portable brought. I wasn’t tired, but my hand got dislocated.”
In response, Portable admitted to using diabolical powers during the match and challenged Speed Darlington to do the same.
He said, “I am not a looser, I am a winner. He [Speed Darlington] is saying I used juju. Yes, na juju, go find your own juju.
“My fans, God bless you. Thank you for your support. ”
Meanwhile, Nigerian music superstar and Grammy award winner, Damini Ogulu, widely known as Burna Boy, has gifted Portable the sum of ₦20 million following his triumph in a celebrity boxing match against Speed Darlington.
Portable took to Instagram on Saturday to announce the generous gesture from Burna Boy.
“₦20 million from Burna Boy. If you wanna be like Odogwu, can you do like Odogwu? God bless your family,” he posted
Eedris Abdulkareem Defies NBC Ban, Launches ‘Tell Your Papa’ Challenge on Social Media
Outspoken Nigerian rapper and activist, Eedris Abdulkareem, has fired back at the federal government with the launch of a new social media campaign dubbed the *“Tell Your Papa” Challenge*, aimed at amplifying dissent and encouraging citizens to hold political leaders accountable.
The move comes on the heels of a nationwide broadcast ban imposed on Abdulkareem’s controversial new song *“Tell Your Papa,”* which sharply criticizes President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), in a circular signed by its Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi, described the track as “inappropriate and offensive,” instructing all radio and television stations to pull it from the airwaves.
Unfazed by the directive, Abdulkareem took to Instagram to condemn the NBC’s action as a blatant attempt to stifle free expression and muzzle criticism of those in power.
In a bold response on Sunday, the veteran musician launched the *“Tell Your Papa” Challenge* on his Instagram page, calling on fans and fellow Nigerians to use their voices to challenge injustice.
“Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence,” he wrote. “There is a time to speak and a time to keep silent. This is the time to speak and make your voice heard.”
The challenge has begun gaining traction online, with supporters posting videos and messages echoing Abdulkareem’s sentiments about governance, hardship, and the need for accountability.
Known for his activism and protest music, Abdulkareem previously made headlines with his 2004 hit *“Jaga Jaga,”* which criticized corruption and poor leadership—earning him both acclaim and backlash from authorities.
The latest controversy places the artist once again at the center of Nigeria’s freedom of expression debate, with many watching closely to see how far the challenge will go—and how the government will respond next.
