T.D. Jakes hands over leadership mantle to daughter, son-in-law

Bishop T.D. Jakes

Bishop T.D. Jakes, founder of The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, has declared he is stepping down from leading the megachurch, handing over the reins to his daughter, Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Pastor Toure Roberts.

The declaration was made during a Sunday morning service on April 27, 2025, just weeks after Jakes suffered a massive heart attack while preaching.

Speaking to the congregation, Jakes said his recent health scare played a major role in his decision to transition leadership.

FIRS establish gender desk to boost equity, inclusive governance

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Tuesday established its Gender Desk and Women Network (WoN) to promote gender equity and inclusive governance.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, the Chairman, FIRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji, according to NAN report described the establishement of the desk as a declaration of the service’s resolve to embed equity at the heart of its operations.

Adedeji, who was represented by Dr Dick Irri, the Coordinating Director, Medium and Government Taxpayers Group (M&GTG, FIRS) said the initiative would help to drive inclusive public service.

He said that it would place gender equality as a constitutional right, and as a strategic imperative in governance, especially within the Nigerian tax system. 

Taraba varsity lecturer writes Tinubu, calls for ban on open grazing - Punch reports

President Bola Tinubu

A lecturer at Taraba State University, Professor John Ajai, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently review Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol and fast-track the enactment of a national law banning open grazing across the country.

Punch reports that Ajai made the call in an open letter addressed to the President on Sunday, where he warned that the country was facing a “defining moment” that demands bold executive action to protect national sovereignty, security, and unity.

According to him, the ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol, which was originally intended to facilitate pastoral mobility across West Africa, has worsened insecurity, encouraged violent land occupation by armed groups, and undermined Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Women’s toilets not for transgenders, UK watchdog says

Photo: Shutterstock/baona

Britain’s equality watchdog has advised that trans women should not be allowed to use women’s toilets following a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court on the legal definition of a woman. 

The Equality and Human Rights Commission issued interim guidance for organisations in response to five judges ruling earlier this month that a woman is legally defined based on their sex at birth.

The decision was hailed by gender-critical campaigners and has been welcomed by the government as providing “clarity”, but transgender people have expressed concern that they will be discriminated against.

Trans women “should not be permitted to use the women’s facilities” in workplaces or public buildings such as shops and hospitals, the EHRC said.

Why I Married My Husband Despite 20 Years Age Gap – Joke Silva

 

Veteran Nollywood Actor Joke Silva unravels the age factor about her marital union with fellow actor Olu Jacobs.

According to Daily Post, Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva, 62, has revealed why she married her husband, actor Olu Jacobs, 82, despite the almost 20 years age gap between them.

She stated that she acted out of love for her husband, whom she described as a “gorgeous person.” 

Silva featured in a recent episode of the Leadership podcast hosted by Stephen Akintayo.

She shared that her dad was initially against them getting married because of the huge age gap.

Woman arrested after confessing to removing a man's genitals and heart and eating the body parts, leaving a note next to his remains

A Brazilian pensioner has been arrested after she confessed to removing and eating a man's heart and genitals. 

According to Mail Online, Celso Marques Ferreira, 60, was found dead without his penis and part of his heart in a town square in the beach resort of Peruibe - a two-hour drive south of Sao Paulo.

A blood-stained note had been left alongside the homeless man's mutilated body which claimed a woman known as 'gringa' - the nickname suspect Josefa Lima de Sousa uses - was responsible.

A knife with dried blood on the blade was also found at the scene.

TikTok Sale | Trump says US talking to four different groups

 

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his administration was in touch with some groups about the sale of Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok, and that all options were good.

Aboard Air Force ONE, U.S. President Donald Trump said that his administration was in touch with four different groups.

TikTok's fate has been up in the air since a law requiring its owner ByteDance to either sell it on national security grounds or face a ban took effect on January 19.

Reportedly, the law banning TikTok materialized amid concerns that the Chinese government could exploit the app for surveillance or covertly influence US public opinion. As the deadline approached, TikTok temporarily shut down its services in the United States and disappeared from app stores, sparking outrage among its millions of American users. However, after beginning his second term in January, Trump suspended the implementation of the ban for two-and-a-half months in an effort to negotiate a resolution with Beijing. This allowed TikTok to restore service and return to Apple and Google app stores in February.

My Period Stories - Funke Treasure

Ms. Anike-ade Funke Treasure

PRESS RELEASE

Funke Treasure Launches 'My Period Stories' Podcast Series

Award-wining broadcast journalist and one-time General Manager of Radio One 103.5FM, owned by Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Anike-ade Funke Treasure is today, July 27, launching a podcast series entitled "My Period Stories".

Announcing the launch of the podcast series in a press statement, Funke Treasure said they would be conversations and stories about menstruation, and would form part of her Sanitary Pad Media Campaign (SPMC).

According to her, the podcasts would touch on diverse issues, policies, and perspectives about menstruation from peoples across the world.

Said she: "It would feature stories of everyday people – girls, women, men, governments, NGOs, international bodies, and communities around the globe. 

NIGERIA AND THE CHALLENGE OF UNITY: BEYOND THE 2023 ELECTIONS - Rev. Fr. George EHUSANI

NIGERIA AND THE CHALLENGE OF UNITY: BEYOND THE 2023 ELECTIONS

A Keynote Address at the Savannah Centre Leadership Effectiveness

and Accountability Dialogue, at Ibeto Hotel, Abuja, on June 6, 2022

By

Rev. Fr. George EHUSANI

Executive Director, Lux Terra Leadership Foundation

_____________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION: Nigeria is Today Teetering on the Precipice

Nigeria as a national entity is on the verge of collapse. All the indices of state failure are in place. There is an unprecedented level of impunity, and a never-before witnessed orgy of violence across the land. Criminal gangs are holding swathes of the Nigerian territory, bombing state infrastructures, collecting taxes, kidnapping travellers for ransom, sacking whole villages, burning down police stations, dislodging soldiers from their military outposts, abducting school children – transforming some into child soldiers and others into sex slaves, carrying out mass executions, and sending periodic threats to the Federal Government.

In the face of these brazen attacks that are equivalent to an open declaration of war, the government in place appears either utterly incapable or inexplicably unwilling to perform the primary duty of government, namely, to protect the lives and property of Nigerians, to such an extent that many Nigerians in exasperation now wonder if high level agents of government are not actually complicit in this genocidal war against innocent Nigerians. Indeed, many are beginning to believe that there are treasonous persons within the governance structure, who have resolved to destroy the Nigerian state in the manner we are witnessing today.

Lux Terra Trains Islamic Community Members on Mechanisms for Using Religious Resources to Promote Integrity in Nigeria

Rev. Fr. George Ehusani

May 8 to 11, thirty members of the Mudarasatul Adani Wa Izharul Islam (MAWIS) community at Minna, Niger State, are undergoing a training programme on mechanisms and strategies for intensifying the campaign for greater integrity in Nigeria, using the religious resources at their disposal.

CELINE DION RESCHEDULES 2022 EUROPEAN TOUR DATES TO 2023

European “Courage World Tour” dates May 25 through September 24, 2022, Now Rescheduled to February 24 through October 4, 2023

As Celine Dion continues to recover from a recent health issue, the singer has announced she will be postponing her 2022 European “Courage World Tour” dates and rescheduling the shows to 2023. Celine had completed the first 52 shows on the tour before the pandemic emerged in March 2020, but recently has been treated for severe and persistent muscle spasms which are preventing her from performing, and her recovery is taking longer than she hoped.  Her medical team continues to evaluate and treat the condition.

Amid Nigeria’s rising insecurity, the country’s Army deploys 173 Soldiers to Guinea Bissau on a peace keeping mission

The Nigerian Army have deployed not fewer than 173 officers and soldiers to Guinea Bissau on an ECOWAS peacekeeping Operation as part of its consistent support in strengthening and enhancing security in the West African sub-region

The Chief of Operations, Army Headquarters, Major General Oluwafemi Akinjobi, announced this Thursday from the Martin Luther Agwai Peacekeeping Centre in Jaji Kaduna State at the pre-deployment training graduation of Nigerian contingent to ECOWAS mission in Guinea Bissau.

While addressing the troops, the Chief of Operations, represented by Major General Zakari Abubakar, urged the contingent to abide by the rules of engagement, exhibit braveness as professionals, and also respect the cultural sensitivity of the people of Guinea Bissau.

WAO! EFCC, ICPC officials accuse Buhari of sabotaging fight against corruption

Officials of Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies, EFCC and ICPC, say their morale and commitment to work have been affected by the controversial presidential pardon of Jolly Nyame, former governor of Taraba State, and Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau State. Both men had been convicted and jailed for stealing state funds, Premium Times report.

Asked not to be named for fear of victimization, according to the report, officials of the two institutions, in separate interviews with PREMIUM TIMES, lamented the pardon and accused President Muhammadu Buhari of sabotaging the anti-corruption fight.

“We used to say our problem in our work against corruption is the judiciary but we see a lack of political will by the president,” one EFCC official said.

Kukah to Buhari: You’ve totally destroyed Nigeria, divided citizens, enthroned corruption

Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto

TO MEND A BROKEN NATION: THE EASTER METAPHOR:

(Easter Message by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Diocese of Sokoto, April 17th, 2022)

1: Hello brothers and sisters in Christ, men and women of goodwill everywhere, I send you hearty greetings and felicitations as we celebrate the risen Christ. Easter is here again. For all Christians, Easter is a metaphor for our lives as individuals, families, communities or nations. Easter is a metaphor for how shame, scandal, powerlessness, weakness, and opprobrium suddenly transform into glory, honour, pre-eminence, laudation and applause. It is a fulfilment of what the Master himself had foretold when He said, ‘Unless a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain, but if it dies, it bears much fruit’ (Jn. 12: 24). And the Psalmist had said, ‘Those who sow in tears will sing when they reap.’ (Ps. 126:5).

PRESIDENT BUHARI’S 2022 EASTER MESSAGE

Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria

 I join our Christian brothers and sisters to celebrate this year’s Easter, which is the most significant event/festival in the Christian calendar.

This year’s celebration is very unique for adherents of the two great faiths in Nigeria. It culminates the 40-day season of Lent for Christians, where the faithful is expected to fast, pray, assist the poor, abhor injustice and strife, give alms, penitently engage in self-examination and repentance of sins.

Similar values apply to the Muslim faithful, currently about half-way into the holy month of Ramadan.

For us as a nation, the message of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after crucifixion and burial, reminds us of the power of divine love, faith and redemption.

I’m calling on world leaders to help all those who are forced to leave their homes - Celine

Canadian singer, Celine Dion shows her love for Ukrainians and refuges across the globe in her IG message a few days ago  "I #StandUpForUkraine and for refugees around the world. I’m calling on world leaders to help all those who are forced to leave their homes. Please make sure that they get the support that they desperately need now" .

I Accept and respect the Academy’s decision – Will Smith

American actor, Will Smith, had reacted to the decision of the Academy (Oscars) to ban him from its events for ten years.

He said in a brief statement, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had on last week Friday announced that it was banning him from all of the organization’s events for 10 years for slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.

Russian activists sign open letter calling for end to war in Ukraine

© Provided by The Guardian Photograph: Vasily Maximov/AFP/Getty Images

 

A group of veteran Russian human rights activists plan to publish an open letter calling on Russia to end its war in Ukraine, declaring it “our common duty” to “stop the war, protect the lives, rights and freedoms of all people, both Ukrainians and Russians”.

The “manifesto”, signed by 11 prominent activists including Lev Ponomaryov, Oleg Orlov, and Svetlana Gannushkina, announces the creation of a new anti-war council of Russian human rights defenders and is the broadest collective statement against the war by the Russian human rights community to date.

The activists say they will seek to help Russians avoid taking part in the war against Ukraine and to demand that the Ministry of Defence releases accurate information about the number of Russian soldiers killed in the war.

Massive infrastructural devt differentiates APC from PDP – Fashola

Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works and Housing, says the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has been delivering infrastructural projects in spite of meagre resources.

He said this at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Pre-Convention Policy Conference on Friday in Abuja.

According to him, the massive infrastructural development differentiates the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The conference, with the theme: “Consolidating Democracy: Scorecard, Impact and the Road Ahead”, is to discuss current and future policy direction of the APC.

David Beckham hands over Instagram account with over 71 million followers to doctor in Ukraine

David Beckham

Soccer legend David Beckham has lent his Instagram account to a doctor in Ukraine to put a spotlight on the "amazing work" by medical professionals providing care during Russia's invasion of the country, CBSnews reports.

According to the report, the former English national team and Manchester United star handed over his platform with more than 71 million followers to Iryna, the head of the regional perinatal center in Kharkiv, where she's helping mothers give birth safely.

Iryna, who is only identified by her first name, gave a first-person account of what a day in her life is like on Instagram Stories. Video clips showed her next to new mothers,  pregnant women and babies on oxygen generators donated by UNICEF. She said she works at the hospital "24/7 now" and "I'm here all day.", the report stated further adding that in one of the videos, Iryna discussed how "difficult" the early days of the war in Ukraine were. She said on the first day of the invasion, all pregnant women were evacuated to the basement and eventually, they grew accustomed to it.