1+ week, 5+ day ago (664+ words) The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has again declared that Christian genocide is ongoing in Nigeria, calling on the federal government and the international community to act decisively to end the relentless killings and displacement of believers, particularly in the North and Middle Belt. CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stated this on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the association's Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council meeting in Jos, Plateau State capital. Okoh added that Jos is a city whose very soil bears the memory of deep anguish and resilient hope, "a land that has wept bitterly, prayed fervently, and yet continues to rise with a steadfast faith that defies the darkness around it." The Archbishop extended gratitude to the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, "for hosting the meeting, encouraging him to continue in his path of service so that by…...

6+ day, 1+ hour ago (168+ words) The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora in Niger State has released the names of 265 pupils, students and teachers of St. Mary's School, Papiri, Agwara local ... FULL LIST: Catholic Diocese Unveils Names Of Pupils, Students, Teachers In Captivity The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora in Niger State has released the names of 265 pupils, students and teachers of St. Mary's School, Papiri, Agwara local government area of the State, who were still in captivity. LEADERSHIP recalls that bandits had attacked the school on November 21, abducting 315 persons, including 303 students and 12 teachers. On Sunday, the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) announced that 50 of the kidnap victims had managed to escape from captivity. In an update on Monday, the diocese published the names of those still missing, including 239 pupils from the nursery and primary sections, 14 students from the secondary school, and all…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago (164+ words) Pope Leo XIV has appointed Nigerian-born Augustinian priest, Rev. Fr. Edward Daleng, as the new Vice-Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household. The appointment, announced by the Vatican on Monday, marked a significant recognition for the Nigerian clergy within the Catholic Church's highest administrative ranks. The Prefecture of the Papal Household is one of the Vatican's oldest and most vital offices. It oversees the pope's daily engagements, ensuring that every activity is carried out with precision, decorum, and in accordance with papal tradition. As Vice-Regent, Fr. Daleng will work alongside Archbishop Leonardo Sapienza, the current Regent, to coordinate the pope's private and public audiences, including meetings with heads of state, diplomats, and church leaders. Daleng, a member of the Order of St. Augustine (OSA), brings years of pastoral, academic, and administrative experience to his new role. His appointment further…...

6+ day, 17+ hour ago (339+ words) The Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has renewed a 15-year warning about rising insecurity in Nigeria, following recent attacks on churches that left several worshippers dead and others abducted. Speaking on Sunday at the 4th Pre-Shiloh Encounter Service monitored by Vanguard, Oyedepo expressed deep concern over the state of the nation. He said, "Developments in the past two weeks, particularly in Nigeria, are worrisome to say the least'the need for a prompt response in prayers to stop the killings once and for all. You can't trade people's lives for your comfort. All the innocent blood shared is speaking vengeance'all the perpetrators will pay with their lives." He further asserted his connection to the nation, stating, "No one is more Nigerian than I. We all have our ancestral grounds. We all know power passes power; no power passes…...

3+ week, 1+ hour ago (440+ words) Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev'd Henry Ndukuba, has called on the federal government to seek foreign assistance if it is unable to end the violent killings and persecution of Christians in the country. The Archbishop made the declaration while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the consecration of 15 new Bishops at the Cathedral of Church of the Advent, Abuja. The cleric addressed the issue of targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria. Ndukuba confirmed the grim reality of targeted attacks, revealing that several pastors and their families remained in captivity after being abducted from their churches. "The persecution of Christians and the violence that is going on in this land is not something that anybody can deny. "As I am talking to you now, we have some of our pastors who are kidnapped with…...

2+ week, 19+ hour ago (191+ words) The federal government has been urged to adopt November 15 as National Philanthropy Day, joining nations like Canada, Mexico and the United States in recognising this important date. The initiative, according to the executive director and chief imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Imam Faud Adeyemi, aims to instill a culture of giving and compassion as fundamental national values. Adeyemi emphasised the importance of ethical giving and national solidarity during the commemoration of Al Habibiyyah National Philanthropy Day 2025. He advocated for the establishment of an office of religious affairs to oversee and coordinate faith-based initiatives, enhance interfaith collaboration and utilise religious platforms for sustainable national development. He stated, "We appeal to government agencies at all levels to collaborate more closely with faith-based organisations in executing social protection initiatives that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through impactful giving and poverty alleviation." He…...

2+ week, 2+ day ago (335+ words) A Sermon Presented at the National Mosque in Abuja, Nigeria,on the sixteenth day of Jumada al-Awwal 1447 AH / corresponding to the seventh day of November 2025 AD by Professor Dr Ilyas Osman I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. To proceed (in this sermon): The truth is that violence in Nigeria affects everyone without exception, arising from the entanglement of religious, ethnic, political, and regional factors. I say this, and I seek forgiveness from Allah for myself and you from all sins; seek His forgiveness; indeed, He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, enough is Allah's praise, and may the blessings and peace be upon the chosen Prophet and his family and those who follow him in righteousness until the…...

1+ day, 8+ hour ago (368+ words) The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has expressed anguish and outrage following the gruesome murder of Venerable Edwin Achi, a priest at the Diocese of Kaduna, after a month in captivity. In a statement released on Saturday, the Primate of the Church, The Most Rev'd Henry Ndukuba, condemned the killing as a "senseless act of evil" and a painful reminder of the spiralling violence ravaging the nation. Ndukuba described the late Venerable Achi as a faithful servant of God whose life of sacrifice, compassion, and devotion was cruelly cut short. The Church stated that the murder not only devastates the Christian community but also wounds the conscience of Nigeria, underscoring the urgent need for decisive government action. "We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, these senseless acts of evil. This kind of violence and cruelty that continues to tear families…...

3+ week, 2+ day ago (333+ words) A new Vatican decree approved by Pope Leo has modified several traditional titles used by Catholics to describe Mary, the mother of Jesus. Among the most popular titles now affected are "Co-Redemptrix" and "Mediatrix." For centuries, Catholics have invoked Mary's intercession through prayers such as the Rosary, venerating her as a divine figure whose role in giving birth to Christ elevates her within the spiritual hierarchy. However, the Vatican clarified in a recent decree that Mary's role in salvation is subordinate to that of Jesus Christ. "Given the necessity of explaining Mary's subordinate role to Christ in the work of Redemption, it is always inappropriate to use the title "Co-redemptrix' to define Mary's cooperation," the text stated. "This title risks obscuring Christ's unique salvific mediation and can therefore create confusion and an imbalance in the harmony of the truths of…...