A trending video capturing the majestic entrance of a couple at their traditional wedding in Anambra State has taken social media by storm, drawing admiration and commentary from across the country.
The event, which marks the union of two prominent families, features Kene, daughter of billionaire businessman Obi Jackson, and the son of industrial magnate Emma Bishop Okonkwo.
The ceremony was held in grand style, befitting the stature of the families involved.
In a video shared by #shotbynobs on Instagram on Wednesday, the groom made his way into the wedding grounds clad in regal traditional attire, bearing the head of a lion on his shoulder, symbolizing strength, pride, and heritage.
His confidence and dignified gait drew applause from attendees and online viewers alike.
The bride, in an equally commanding display of cultural elegance, was carried in a golden palanquin by a group of traditionally dressed men.
She sat poised and radiant, adorned in rich attire and traditional beads, as she was ushered into the reception arena.
A trending video capturing the majestic entrance of a couple at their traditional wedding in Anambra State has taken social media by storm, drawing admiration… pic.twitter.com/IXESFgh3HV
Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has reversed his controversial directive ordering the arrest of individuals with dreadlocks, following widespread backlash from the public and civil rights advocates.
The governor had earlier instructed security agencies to arrest anyone seen with dreadlocks across the state, linking the hairstyle to rising cult-related activities and insecurity, particularly in Minna, the state capital.
“Rascality in Minna anybody that you find with a dreadlock arrest him and barb his hair. From this moment is fire for fire. Any attempt to harass any security officer is an attempt to harass the government of Niger State,” Bago had declared during a public address.
In addition to the dreadlocks directive, Bago also announced a 12-hour daily restriction on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, banning their operations from 6pm to 6am, as part of a broader crackdown on violent crimes.
He also warned that any house found sheltering criminals or drug dealers would be demolished, emphasizing that his administration would “apply maximum force to restore order.”
The initial statements, particularly the one targeting individuals with dreadlocks, sparked intense criticism across social media and from members of the public, who accused the governor of promoting discrimination and lacking a proper grasp of effective crime-fighting strategies.
Responding to the outrage, Bago clarified his position on Wednesday during an event in Minna, where he declared the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport as an alternative to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
“Yesterday, we read a riot act on hooliganism, and people misconstrued our words for people who have dreadlocks. We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks, but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks. So, if you have dreadlocks and you have business, please come to Niger State,” Bago said.
He went on to describe the backlash as “media propaganda,” and reiterated that the enforcement efforts are targeted specifically at criminal groups.
He said, “We are only driving that cult that is becoming a menace in Niger State. Thank you.”
Bago maintained that law-abiding citizens are not under threat, stating the crackdown is solely aimed at criminal elements who use cult symbols, including dreadlocks, to mask their activities and evade law enforcement.
The Nigeria Premier Football League has slammed El-Kanemi Warriors with a ₦3.5 million fine, following crowd trouble during their Matchday 34 clash against Ikorodu City in Maiduguri.
The NPFL also ordered their stadium closed to fans for the rest of the season.
This was disclosed by NPFL in a post on its website on Wednesday.
This comes after El-Kanemi Warriors’ supporters were found guilty of vandalising the visiting team’s vehicle and throwing objects onto the pitch during the match, describing these actions as grave breaches of its code of conduct.
The statement reads, “El-Kanemi Warriors has been sanctioned by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for security breaches, including failure to ensure the sporting conduct of their supporters during the Matchday 34 fixture against Ikorodu City. The sanctions range from monetary fines to an order of the stadium to fans for the rest of the season.
“In a Summary Jurisdiction notice issued to the club following rowdy incidents before and at the end of the match in Maiduguri, the club was charged for breaches of Rules B13.52, C9 and B13:18 of the Frameworks and Rules of the NPFL. For failure to provide adequate and effective security, which resulted in unauthorised persons gaining access to restricted areas and harassing the match officials, the club was fined N1 million.
“El-Kanemi Warriors also got slammed with a N1 million fine for their supporters’ act of throwing objects onto the field of play, while another fine of N1 million was also imposed on the club for failure to ensure the proper conduct of their supporters, which resulted in damage to the away team’s vehicle.
“The club is to pay a half-million Naira compensation to Ikorodu City for damages to their vehicle. The last of the rulings on the incident is an order for the club to implement a more effective match-day security framework and crowd control measures, details of which must be submitted to the NPFL within seven working days of the date of this notice. In accordance with Rule C26, the club is required to through a written response, indicate acceptance of the ruling or elect to appear before a disciplinary panel.”
An accident involving a Honda EOd and a trailer caused considerable disruption of traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday morning, prompting swift intervention by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Trailer rams car into culvert on Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Credit: Olabode Olalekan, Segun Odunayo
According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred when a trailer hit the Honda EOd, forcing it off the road into a nearby culvert
Trailer rams car into culvert on Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Credit: Olabode Olalekan, Segun Odunayo
The damaged vehicle was subsequently dragged out of the culvert and hoisted into a towing van
Trailer rams car into culvert on Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Credit: Olabode Olalekan, Segun Odunayo
As of the time of this report, there have been no report of fatalities.
Many passengers were stranded on Wednesday at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State, following a protest by staff members of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency over the non-implementation of the new national minimum wage.
The protest caused delays in several scheduled flights at the airport.
An airport staff member, who spoke to PUNCH Online on condition of anonymity, said the protest disrupted many flights, forcing the airport authority to cancel or delay them.
“As you know, flights are determined by weather, and NiMet is the agency providing weather information to pilots.
“So, though some flight operations are still ongoing, the protest has affected many flights,” he said.
It was gathered that many air travellers were left stranded as numerous flights experienced delays due to the protest.
The Northwest Zonal Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees, Timothy Meshelia, also confirmed that the protest disrupted several flights at the airport on Wednesday.
“The protesting staff are accusing the management of NiMet of failing to implement the N30,000 and N70,000 minimum wage, non-payment of staff allowances, ignoring requests to include omitted staff in past payments, and neglecting key training programmes, among other issues.
“The association has given the management one month to implement the new minimum wage or face industrial action,” he stated.
They also demanded that management take proactive measures to address the economic challenges faced by staff, including the payment of a subsistence allowance, as previously agreed with the unions.
As of the time of filing this report, officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, in Kano, had yet to make an official statement regarding the protest.
Equities rallied with Wall Street on Wednesday after Donald Trump said he had “no intention” of firing the head of the Federal Reserve and that eye-watering tariffs on China would be slashed drastically.
Global markets, already upended by a trade war, were battered further at the start of the week by fears the US president was looking to remove central bank boss Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates, calling him a “major loser” and “Mr. Too Late”.
Observers warned such a move would have dealt a blow to the Fed’s independence and sparked a crisis of confidence in the world’s top economy, sparking a sell-off of US assets and another global crisis.
However, Trump looked to temper those fears on Tuesday, saying: “I have no intention of firing him.”
“I would like to see him be a little more active in terms of his idea to lower interest rates — it’s a perfect time to lower interest rates,” he said.
“If he doesn’t, is it the end? No.”
The remarks gave a much-needed shot of relief to investors, helped by the president’s comments later indicating a more conciliatory approach to the trade war with China.
Washington has imposed tariffs of 145 per cent on a range of products from China, while Beijing has replied with 125 per cent duties on imports from the United States.
But Trump acknowledged on Tuesday that the US levies were at a “very high” level, and that this will “come down substantially”.
“They will not be anywhere near that number,” he said, but added that “it won’t be zero”.
That came after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told a closed-door event in Washington that he expected a de-escalation soon in the United States’ tariff standoff with China, which he said was not sustainable.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said later, “The president and the administration are setting the stage for a deal”, noting that “the ball is moving in the right direction”.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also warned on Wednesday that tariffs and trade wars “undermine the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, hurt the multilateral trading system, and impact the world economic order”.
However, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said later in the day that “the door for talks is wide open”.
Investors welcomed the developments from Washington with open arms.
Hong Kong surged on the back of a rally in tech firms, including Alibaba and Tencent.
Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Wellington, Singapore, Mumbai, Manila, Jakarta and Bangkok also advanced, while London, Paris and Frankfurt were also sharply higher.
Taipei jumped more than four per cent, helped by a seven per cent surge in chip titan TSMC.
However, Shanghai edged down.
Gold, which had hit a record high above $3,500 Tuesday on a rush to safety, retreated to sit around $3,300, while the dollar clawed back some of its recent losses against the pound, euro and yen.
Oil prices were also boosted by more than one per cent, having taken a recent hit by fears over the economic fallout from the tariff standoff.
The gains followed rallies of more than two per cent for all three main indexes in New York.
“While it is still early days, the mood in the market is evidently shifting and what was a strong ‘sell America’ vibe flowing through markets… has in part reversed,” said Chris Weston at Pepperstone.
He added that Trump’s comments on Powell “should go some way to allaying fears of a major policy mistake”.
Investors were unmoved by the International Monetary Fund’s decision to slash its global economic growth outlook by 0.5 percentage points to 2.8 per cent this year, citing the effect of Trump’s tariff policies.
In company news, Japan’s Sumitomo Rubber, which recently bought the Dunlop brand, rose 3.7 per cent after it said it would hike tyre prices for US and Canadian cars and small trucks by up to 25 per cent.
Key figures at 0810 GMT include: Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 1.9 percent at 34,868.63 (close), Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 2.4 percent at 22,072.62 (close), Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,296.36 (close), London – FTSE 100: UP 1.4 percent at 8,445.62, Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1385 from $1.1420 on Tuesday.
Pound/dollar: DOWN $1.3305 at $1.3330, Dollar/yen: UP at 141.85 yen from 141.56 yen, Euro/pound: DOWN at 85.56 pence from 85.67 pence, West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.5 per cent at $64.63 per barrel, Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.4 per cent at $68.41 per barrel, New York – Dow: UP 2.7 per cent at 39,186.98 (close).
The Kano State Pension Board has so far cleared over N21 billion in pension liabilities out of a total debt of N48.6 billion inherited from the previous administrations in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State pension fund trustees, Alhaji Habu Fagge made this known while addressing newsmen in Kano.
”The state the board was at the time of the current administration’s takeover was “deeply troubling.
”Pensioners suffered irregular and arbitrary deductions under the previous government, sometimes losing half of their meager monthly entitlements.
“At one point, pensioners receiving N6,000 had N3,000 deducted without explanation. We couldn’t find any clear formula for the deductions,” he said.
According to the executive chairman, the previous administration borrowed from the pension fund.
He said part of the recovery began when Governor Abba Yusuf approved deductions from the source for pension remittances, restoring regular payments and enabling the board to reach 100 per cent monthly pension disbursement.
“We inherited N48.6 billion in liabilities and also had to remit N75 billion that had been levied on local governments and some MDAs.
“Inspite of this, we’ve managed to settle N16 billion so far, with another N5 billion scheduled for disbursement soon,” Fagge said.
He praised the governor for showing empathy, noting that “even though the debt was inherited, the governor took responsibility and ensured payments were made, purely out of concern for the pensioners.”
The chairman also clarified the board’s involvement in housing projects in Bandirawo, Kwankwasiyya and Amana in the state.
Under the past government, he said,the board loaned funds for property investments, which led to legal disputes, and that following a court ruling and negotiations, 324 housing units were allocated to the pensions board as settlement.
“Those properties were in poor condition and neglected. The board opted to repurchase them at a negotiated rate of N4.5 billion, which was approved by the state government after clearance from relevant agencies,” he said.
On the issue of illegal deductions under the previous government, Fagge admitted that investigations were hindered by missing records.
“Without evidence, litigation would be fruitless and distract from our core duty—serving the pensioners,” he said.
Presently, he said, the board has over N4 billion in savings,adding that a proposal had been submitted to the Board of Trustees to use N3 billion to acquire more properties and the remaining N1.5 billion to support pensioners’ welfare.
The executive chairman then raised concerns over the rising number of retirees in the state.
“In December alone, over 4,100 new pensioners were enrolled due to mass retirements. With weekly interviews of about 200 to 300 retirees, the pressure is mounting,” he said.
In spite pf the challenges, he expressed optimism, citing recent increases in public sector salaries and upcoming mass employment plans by the state government as potential boosts to pension contributions.
“Our biggest challenge now is the surge in gratuity and pension obligations due to increased retirement benefits. But with continued reforms and support from the government, we believe we are on a sustainable path,” he said.
Describing the pension board office as a “hospital of last resort,” Fagge shared stories of desperate pensioners seeking funds for hospital bills, rent and basic sustenance.
“Our concern is the people’s concern. We are working to ensure that no pensioner is left behind. By God’s grace, we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel,” he added.
A member of the House of Representatives, representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, Aderemi Oseni has distributed 5,206 bags of fertilisers to farmers across his constituency.
Distributing the fertilisers at his Constituency Office at Ologuneru in Ibadan, Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Tuesday, Oseni said fertiliser has greater purpose in the quest for agricultural prosperity, as a seed planted today will flourished into plentiful harvest tomorrow.
The Chairman House Committee on Federal Road Maintainance Agency said, “This landmark empowerment programme is aimed to increase productivity for farmers, ensuring plentiful harvest that not only enhances personal wealth but contributes to national food security.
“Food security has been one of the major agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which will continue to echo to every one of us, and we will continue to promote as much as we can.
“In the face of the current economic challenges and the surge of food prices, we are standing together to accelerate our seed while guaranteeing that our families remain nourished and supported.”
He said his empowerment initiative aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope and Economic Rebirth Agenda, an initiative promising to restore stability and purpose of the nation after recent challenges.
“It is my firm belief that by supporting our farmers, we are not only assisting in alleviating the skyrocketing prices of food but also empowering them to take charge of their destinies.
“As I distribute these 5,206 bags of fertilisers across my constituency today (Tuesday) to our esteemed and hardworking farmers, I see potential for growth.”
The lawmaker urged the beneficiaries to embrace the opportunity to their clear commitment as defined by President Tinubu in his renewed agenda.
“Let us cultivate the habit of excellence, not just in our farms but in every aspect of our lives. As your representatives, I assure you that I will continue to put you first. We will advocate for better policies, better infrastructure, and a better quality of life for everyone in our beloved Ibarapa’s Federal Constituency.
“This is not simply a promise. It is a pledge, grounded in my heart, grounded in my heartiness, and grounded in my unwavering love for each of you.”
Some of the beneficiaries at the event thanked Oseni for the initiative.
Dignitaries at the event were All Progressives Congress Chairman in Oyo South Senatorial District, Mojeed Olaoya, Onido of Idoland, Oba Muritala Babalola, representative of Christian Association of Nigeria and Muslim community, farmers association, students, youths among others.
The Nigeria Customs Service has shed light on the continued smuggling of petrol across the country’s borders, despite the elimination of fuel subsidies.
According to the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the practice remains attractive to smugglers due to the stark difference in fuel prices between Nigeria and its neighbouring countries.
Speaking during the service’s first quarter performance briefing held in Abuja on Tuesday, Adeniyi noted that “Despite the removal of the fuel subsidy, it is still profitable for smugglers to take fuel illegally from Nigeria. You know that the prices are dynamic.”
He further explained that although Nigeria has ended its subsidy regime, the relatively lower pump price still incentivises illegal exportation of Premium Motor Spirit to countries like Cameroon, Niger, and the Benin Republic “Has remained profitable due to the price arbitrage”, he added.
Adeniyi highlighted that while the price of PMS within Nigeria ranges between N880 and N950 per litre, neighbouring countries are selling the same product for far higher amounts. “Is lower compared to around N1600 and N2000 per litre in Cameroon, Niger, and the Benin Republic,” he stated.
The Customs boss went on to stress that this significant price gap continues to fuel smuggling activities, even with some of these countries witnessing slight reductions in local fuel costs.
“While the price of the products is coming down to around N850 and N900 per liter in places like Cameroon, it is close to N2,000 per liter, in Niger, it is N1,600 per liter, and the same with the Benin Republic.”
In response to this ongoing challenge, Adeniyi said the NCS has initiated a special anti-smuggling operation. “This arbitrage provides the incentive. That is why we launched the operating Whirlwind,” he said.
Pope Francis appears at a window of the Gemelli hospital before being discharged following a five weeks hospitalization for pneumonia, in Rome on March 23, 2025. Pope Francis is to leave hospital todayand return to his residence in the Vatican, where he is to spend “at least two months” recovering, one of his doctors announced during a press conference on March 22, 2025. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)
As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church, a conversation that has long simmered within the global Catholic community comes into sharper focus: Is it time for a Black pope? The death of Pope Francis, who was lauded for his progressive views on poverty, immigration, climate change, and interfaith dialogue, invites a moment of deep reflection on the direction of the Church, particularly in a world where Africa, home to a rapidly growing Catholic population, plays an increasingly prominent role.
The African Catholic Church: A Rising Power
The Catholic Church has been undergoing significant demographic shifts over the past century. While Europe and the Americas once held the majority of the world’s Catholic population, Africa has experienced explosive growth in both the number of Catholics and the number of seminaries and clergy emerging from the continent. In fact, Sub-Saharan Africa now accounts for over 20% of the global Catholic population, with numbers steadily increasing. According to the Vatican’s 2022 Statistical Yearbook, the number of Catholics in Africa has more than doubled in the past fifty years, a trend that continues to accelerate.
Yet, despite the rise of Africa’s Catholic presence, the Vatican remains overwhelmingly European, with only a handful of African cardinals, the electors of the next pope, making their mark on the highest echelons of Church leadership. This has led many to question whether the Church’s leadership is truly representative of the global body it seeks to guide. A Black pope would send a powerful message of inclusivity, acknowledging the growth and importance of Africa within the Catholic Church, and representing the millions of Black Catholics around the world whose voices are still often marginalized in the highest halls of power.
The Legacy of Pope Francis
Pope Francis’ papacy was a watershed moment for the Church in many ways. His focus on social justice, his calls for mercy and compassion, and his commitment to highlighting the struggles of the marginalized—whether migrants, the poor, or indigenous peoples—resonated deeply with millions of Catholics across the globe. His leadership also demonstrated a shift towards a more decentralized and inclusive Church, even as his papacy faced significant challenges, including conservative pushback from within the Vatican itself. His emphasis on synodality, the idea of a more participatory and inclusive decision-making process, hinted at a desire for change that could one day pave the way for the Church to embrace greater diversity at its core.
The question of whether it is time for a Black pope thus becomes more than just a theoretical query, it is an invitation to examine the Church’s future. The need for reform, inclusivity, and representation in the highest levels of ecclesial authority is clear. Pope Francis himself understood that his papacy was not just about leading the Church as it was but about guiding it toward the future. As we mourn his passing, we must consider how the next pope can build on his legacy of reform and inclusivity, while also taking into account the profound demographic shifts in the Church.
Africa’s Potential for Leadership
Could the next pope come from Africa? It is a possibility that has grown less improbable with each passing year. Figures like Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, who has long been considered a frontrunner for the papacy, represent the potential for the Church to embrace an African pope. Cardinal Turkson’s long-standing leadership in the Vatican, including his role in shaping the Church’s response to issues like climate change and global inequality, suggests that a Black pope would bring not only symbolic weight but also substantive leadership in areas crucial for the Church’s future.
The notion of a Black pope also underscores the role that race and ethnicity play in shaping not only the global Catholic community but also its vision for the future. Africa, with its youthful population, its dynamic faith communities, and its growing influence in world affairs, presents an opportunity for the Church to engage with the world in new and relevant ways. A pope from Africa could more effectively address the challenges and aspirations of a continent that is poised to become even more central to the Catholic Church’s mission in the coming decades.
Theological and Cultural Implications
A Black pope would also bring a new theological and cultural perspective to the Church, which has historically been shaped by European and Latin American sensibilities. African Catholicism is deeply rooted in a rich tradition of spirituality, communalism, and respect for the sacred, which could breathe new life into the Church’s global mission. This perspective could also provide new avenues for dialogue between the Catholic Church and other faiths, particularly within Africa’s religiously diverse context.
Moreover, Africa’s history of colonization, conflict, and resilience has created a unique lens through which to understand issues of justice, peace, and reconciliation. The African experience with colonialism, civil strife, and economic exploitation could inform a pope’s approach to global issues such as human rights, economic inequality, and international relations. In this way, an African pope would not only represent the continent’s rapidly growing Catholic population but could also embody a more inclusive and globally relevant approach to the Church’s mission.
Conclusion: A New Era for the Church?
As we mourn the death of Pope Francis, we are reminded that the papacy is not simply a position of leadership but a symbol of the direction in which the Church is headed. The question of whether it is time for a Black pope is not just about ethnicity or race, it is about the future of a Church that must reckon with its increasingly diverse global community.
The papacy of Pope Francis demonstrated that the Church can embrace reform and adapt to the changing world while staying true to its mission. The election of a Black pope, particularly from Africa, would mark the next step in that journey, reflecting a Church that is inclusive, diverse, and engaged with the challenges of the 21st century. Whether or not the next pope will be African or Black remains to be seen, but the possibility stands as an invitation to rethink the global Church’s priorities and the legacy of Pope Francis.
In this time of mourning, it is important to ask not just what the Church has been but what it will become and what it can be for future generations. The election of a Black pope could be a significant step in that ongoing transformation.
Dr. Jude Dike, Ph.D.
Dike is a college professor and the host of a popular weekly podcast in Calgary, Canada.
