A Nigerian Catholic sister, Francisca Ngozi Uti, has been announced as the 2024 Opus Prize laureate with a prize award of $1 million.

Ms Uti was recognised for her humanitarian work as the founder and executive director of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention in Abuja during the award ceremony at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit university in Silicon Valley.

The Opus Prize is a prestigious award that recognises unsung heroes worldwide and acknowledges their selfless efforts to address pressing social needs.

“Did I ever imagine being nominated as the laureate? Honestly, no. Words seem inadequate to capture the depth of my joy,” said Ms Uti. “My heart overflows with gratitude.”

She added, “I never dreamed that the work my team and I have been doing in these remote communities would gain recognition not only within our state but beyond our nation’s borders, crossing the Atlantic and reaching as far as the United States of America.”

The Opus Prize award, which totals $1.2 million, was distributed among three honorees, with Ms Uti receiving $1 million and the two other finalists (Father Zachariah Presutti of Thrive for Life Prison Project and Bianca and Cătalin Albu of Jesuit Refugee Service-Romania) each receiving $100,000.

The CWSI is a centre that focuses on addressing issues of marginalisation, oppression and violence against women and girls in all forms, especially by culture and poverty, while also advocating for policies to combat gender-based violence.

The organisation has significantly impacted Nigeria, helping over one million beneficiaries through more than 100 projects.

The Nigeria Youths Frontiers and Peace Advocates (NYFPA) has knocked social media activist, Reno Omokri for his recent comments about Nigerian clerics, particularly Pastor Becky Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre.

Omokri recently referred to Pastor Enenche as a “Yahoo girl on the altar,” sparking outrage among members of the Christian community.

His comment came after the Pastor harped on the essence of paying tithes.

However, the NYFPA described Omokri’s remarks as “inflammatory, baseless, and deeply irresponsible,” adding that they were unbecoming of someone who presents himself as a political activist and public commentator.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Samuel Geofrey, the group said, “Reno Omokri’s statements are an affront to millions of Nigerians who revere their faith and spiritual leaders.

“His choice of words reflects a profound lack of respect for Christianity and the principles of dialogue and mutual understanding in a civilized society.”

The NYFPA further criticized Omokri’s controversial public record, pointing to alleged inconsistencies in his career, personal life, and political affiliations.

It accused him of using divisive rhetoric to maintain relevance, often at the expense of unity and constructive discourse.

NYFPA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting truth, justice, and peace, urging Nigerians to reject divisive narratives and focus on building a society rooted in mutual respect and understanding.

“Omokri’s statements represent not only an attack on Pastor Becky Enenche but also an affront to the millions of Nigerians who hold their faith and spiritual leaders in high esteem.

“His choice of words betrays a profound lack of respect, not only for Christianity but for the principles of dialogue and mutual respect that underpin a civilized society.

“It is unfortunate that Omokri, who portrays himself as a moral and political compass, has a history marred by inconsistency, self-serving motives, and a penchant for stirring unnecessary controversies,” the statement said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it has dismissed two of its staff members over allegations of corruption.

Chairman of the Commission, Mr Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this during the opening of the 6th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference organised by the Rule of Law Development Foundation in Abuja.

Olukoyede, who stated that the two officials were dismissed two weeks ago, said besides dismissal, erring workers would also be prosecuted henceforth.

“So many other reforms are going on, the issue of our staff and all of that.

“Just two weeks ago, I caused the dismissal of two staff members. You can’t be fighting corruption and your hands are dirty. He who comes to equity, your hands must also be clean.

“And I say I will not only be dismissing them, I will also be prosecuting them because that is what we prosecute others for.

“So you will see that; we are preparing the case files of some of the people we have dismissed,” he stated.

The EFCC boss said he was once subjected to investigation for two years as EFCC secretary, adding that integrity was needed to survive, even as legal practitioners.

He said he had given a standing directive that no prosecution should be more than a 15-count charge.

The Osun State House of Assembly has dismissed claims that the recently amended law establishing the Osun State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, grants the corps prosecutorial powers.

This clarification follows what the Assembly describes as a deliberate misinterpretation of the amended law by certain groups.

In a statement issued by Olamide Tiamiyu, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, on Monday, the Osun State Assembly noted that Section 4(1)(k) of the amended law explicitly mandates the Amotekun Corps to forward case files to the office of the Attorney-General upon completing investigations.

The Assembly stressed that this provision aligns with Sections 174 and 211 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which assign prosecutorial powers exclusively to the federal and state attorneys-general.

The Assembly noted that the Amotekun Corps was created as a response to escalating security challenges that have overwhelmed the police force, not as a political tool.

While urging critics and stakeholders to refrain from politicising security matters, it cautioned that such actions undermine the corps’ effectiveness and public trust.

According to the statement: “The law was passed with the aim of strengthening crime deterrence and ensuring justice for the people of Osun State. Politicising the operations of Amotekun is not only unhelpful but also dangerous.

“The Assembly further advised individuals and groups with questions or concerns about the law to seek clarification from the appropriate channels instead of spreading false narratives.”

Amotekun, described as a “child of necessity,” was established to address gaps in the security architecture and protect the lives and property of Osun residents.

The Assembly reiterated its commitment to ensuring the corps operates efficiently and free from undue hindrance.

The Assembly urged the public to disregard misinformation and trust in its efforts to safeguard the state’s security interests.

The organised Labour in Cross River says they will not guarantee industrial harmony starting Wednesday if the government fails to concretise plans to implement the N70,000 national minimum wage.

The labour unions made their stand known after staging a walkout at a scheduled meeting with the Joint Public Service Negotiating and Implementation Committee on the new wage on Monday in Calabar.

The committee, chaired by the State Head of Service, Innocent Eteng, also has representatives of the various labour unions, including the Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

TUC chair in Cross River Monday Ogbodum said the government appeared not committed to the implementation of the new wage.

Mr Ogbodum noted that labour’s position had earlier forced the government to set up the committee.

“From the look of things, this same committee seems not ready for anything. We have heard from the grapevine that the government is not looking at commencing implementation until January 2025,” he said.

The TUC state chairman said that the labour unions received a directive from their national leadership that implementing the new wage begins in October.

“Our worry is that the Cross River governor was a member of this committee that gave birth to the new wage. He was the South-South representative in that committee, and he is the one lagging behind while other states have already made pronouncements on this new wage for the workers,” he said.

Mr Ogbodum disclosed that the governor had promised the workers that he would implement whatever was agreed upon.

Also speaking, the chairman of NLC in Cross River, Gregory Olayi, said that labour staged a walkout because the government representative in the committee appeared not serious.

He said that aside from the fact that the government had not put anything on the table, the government representative seemed not to be acting on the governor’s mandate.

“We had on Thursday given them (the government) a seven-day ultimatum, which expires Monday at midnight. We will be meeting with all the organs, and whatever decision is taken, we will all see to it after the meeting on Tuesday,” said Mr Olayi.

On Monday, the Edo House of Assembly approved the Revised Supplementary Budget of N485.6 billion for 2024.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, on November 13, in a letter, requested the parliament to consider and pass the Revised Supplementary Budget for the continuous development of Edo.

The motion to dissolve the parliament into a committee of supply to consider the budget was moved by the majority leader of the parliament, Charity Aiguobaruehian and seconded by the minority leader, Eric Okaka.

At the committee of supply, the parliament considered and passed the budget estimates.

The Revised Supplementary Bill of N485.6 billion had N283.1 billion as capital expenditure, while the recurrent expenditure was N202.5 billion.

After the budget passage, the speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, directed the house clerk, Yahaya Omogbai, to give the bill its third reading and forward clean copies to the governor for his assent.

Meanwhile, the House screened and cleared Cyril Adams Oshiomole as commissioner for health-designate.

The police command in Akwa Ibom has confirmed the crisis between the Ibeno and Esit Eket local government areas of the state.

ASP Timfon John, the command`s spokesperson, said in an interview with journalists in Eket on Monday that the attack was carried out by suspected hoodlums from neighbouring communities at midnight on Saturday.

She said the Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, had visited the area with the State Security Service (SSS) director for an on-the-spot assessment.

Ms John said the places attacked were farms, schools, homes, clinics, and public utilities worth millions of naira.

She said the state police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was currently investigating the matter on the directive of the commissioner of police.

Ms John said no casualty had been recorded since the incident started.

The paramount ruler of Ibeno, Owong Effiong Achianga, attributed the crisis in Ibeno communities to the enormous natural resource deposits in the area.

He said Ibeno is blessed with oil and gas, which the entire Akwa Ibom benefits from, adding that his people would not tolerate further aggression from their neighbours.

“I have appealed to Ibeno youths to remain calm. I am appealing to elders, council chairmen of our neighbouring council areas, to call their youths to order,” he said.

He appealed to the state government to intervene and bring peace to the destroyed community and others earlier torched by the hoodlums.

“The government should replace the damaged property and help the displaced people recover from the shock of the atrocities,” he said.

He called on the police to deploy security personnel to Ibeno to protect lives and property, adding that the hoodlums must be apprehended to face the full wrath of the law.

Hezbollah confirms death of spokesman in Beirut attack
Hezbollah has confirmed the death of its Spokesman, Mohammed Afif, in an Israeli attack in Beirut.
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NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA • 1111!NOVEMBER 18, 2024
Beirut attack
Beirut attack [Credit: Al Jazeera]
Hezbollah has confirmed the death of its Spokesman, Mohammed Afif, in an Israeli attack in Beirut.

He was a “pillar” of Hezbollah’s media and political work, the pro-Iranian group said on Telegram.

Mr Afif was one of the few remaining publicly known faces of Hezbollah after the killing of the group’s leadership and had recently led press conferences.

He was a confidante of the militia’s former Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike at the end of September.

Mr Afif died in an Israeli attack in the densely populated Ras Al Naba district near the centre of Beirut.

At the time of the attack, he is said to have been in an office of the Baath Party, which is active in several Arab countries, including as the party of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad.

According to Lebanese authorities, at least three other people were killed in the attack, and 14 people were injured.

Thousands of people in Slovakia took to the streets on Sunday to protest against the government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, with the largest demonstration taking place in Bratislava.

Opposition media reported that between 17,000 and 18,000 people participated in the rally in the capital.

The protests, organised by two liberal and one conservative opposition parties, were held to mark the 35th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution against the Communist regime of what was then Czechoslovakia.

The Velvet Revolution began with a violent crackdown on a peaceful student protest on Nov. 17, 1989, which led to mass pro-democracy demonstrations that ushered in a regime change.

The day is now celebrated as Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, the two independent states that Czechoslovakia peacefully split into in 1993.

Opposition leaders accuse the government, led by Fico and made up of two social democratic parties and a right-wing populist party, of showing authoritarian tendencies.

Demonstrators warn that Slovakia’s democratic freedoms are at risk, calling for action to defend liberty and democracy.

In Bratislava, protesters displayed signs reading, ‘’The government takes away our democracy and freedom. In return, it offers us revenge and hatred.’’

During the rally, Michal Simecka, leader of the largest liberal opposition party Progressive Slovakia, criticised Mr Fico’s leadership.

Mr Simecka said that freedom and democracy are no guarantee of good governance, “otherwise, Robert Fico would not have been ruling us for 14 years already.”

Mr Fico, who won last year’s parliamentary elections, is serving his fourth term as prime minister after a short absence from office.

Türkiye Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Monday that authorities have detained 1,644 irregular migrants and 51 human trafficking organisers in nationwide operations.

Mr Yerlikaya said on his social media platform X that among the detained organisers, 11 were foreign nationals, adding that deportation procedures for the detained migrants have already been initiated.

The minister did not specify the time frame of the operations but gave details of the operations, dubbed “Kalkan-30,” which targeted abandoned buildings, public venues, truck depots, terminals, ports, and public transit hubs.

Mr Yerlikaya added that a total of 17 vehicles, three boats, eight unlicensed firearms, and various quantities of illegal narcotics were seized during the operations.

Earlier, Mr Yerlikaya reported that Turkish security forces had conducted nearly 6,339 operations against human trafficking organisations throughout the year, resulting in the arrests of 3,924 smugglers.

Türkiye faces significant challenges in managing illegal migration due to its strategic geographic position between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

The country serves as a critical transit route for migrants attempting to enter European nations.

As a destination and transit point for refugees from conflict-stricken regions, particularly Syria and Afghanistan, Türkiye has intensified border security measures in recent years.

The government has also strengthened the legal framework and enhanced international collaboration to combat the growing activities of human smuggling networks.

A Jos magistrates’ court on Monday sentenced a security guard, Collins Ibrahim, 21, to nine months in the correctional centre for alleged N41,300 theft.

The magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Delivering his judgment, Mr Bokkos sentenced the convict to three months in jail but granted him an option of a N10,000 fine.

Equally, the magistrate ordered the convict to make restitution of the money stolen to the complainant and, if otherwise, to spend an additional six months in a correctional facility.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Ijuptil Thiawur, told the court that the case was reported on August 16 at the “A” Division Police station by one Enoch Mangchin, the complainant.

Mr Thiawur said the convict fraudulently collected the complainant’s phone and manipulated the bank application to transfer money from the account.

The prosecutor told the court that the offence contravened the Plateau State Penal Code Law.

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the 19th Heads of State and Government Summit of the Group of 20 (G20).

Mr Tinubu, who arrived on Sunday at 11.03 p.m. local time (Monday 3. 03 a.m. Nigerian time), was received by Breno Costa in the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil.

Mr Tinubu is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit to advance Nigeria’s socio-economic reforms.

Mr Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, is hosting the 2024 G20 summit, having held the group’s rotating presidency since December 21, 2023. His tenure ends on November 30.

The Brazilian presidency will also treat as a priority the Israel-Hamas war and rising bloc confrontation between the U.S. and China.

The conclusion of the work carried out by the country holding the G20 rotating presidency is usually presented at the annual summit. It is the moment when heads of state and government approve the agreements negotiated throughout the year and point out ways of dealing with global challenges.

The Leaders’ Summit, the climax of the G20 work carried out over the year through ministerial meetings, working groups, and engagement groups, would be presented for adoption at the summit.

In line with the summit’s theme, Mr da Silva declared a three-point agenda of combating hunger, poverty and inequality at the summit scheduled for November 18 to 19.

Mr Tinubu is attending the 2024 G20 summit as the organisers invited representatives of the African Union and the European Union.

President Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against Russia.

According to the New York Times, officials said the decision was driven by escalating tensions, particularly Russia’s recent deployment of North Korean troops to strengthen its forces in the Kursk region of western Russia.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky denied reports that Ukraine had received permission for strikes, stressing that military actions speak through their results, not public announcements.

“Today, many in the media are talking about the fact that we have received permission to take appropriate actions,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address. “But blows are not inflicted with words. Such things are not announced. The rockets will speak for themselves.”

The move allows Ukraine to deploy Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have a range of nearly 190 miles, to target Russian and North Korean troops operating near its borders.

This comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, with a stated aim to reduce American support for Ukraine.

The decision has reportedly divided Mr Biden’s advisers, highlighting the complexities of balancing immediate military strategy with broader political considerations.

The policy shift follows months of escalating cross-border attacks.

In May, Russia launched an offensive towards Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.

In response, Mr Biden permitted Ukraine to utilise U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), albeit with a restricted range of 50 miles, targeting Russian forces just across the border.

The latest decision to authorise the more powerful ATACMS comes amid mounting pressure to counter Russia’s intensified aggression.

Officials noted that this decision underscores the evolving nature of the conflict, with Ukraine requiring more advanced capabilities to defend against threats beyond its borders.

The deployment of North Korean troops to support Russian forces has added a new dimension to the war, prompting an urgent reassessment of U.S. military aid restrictions.

The police command in Ebonyi State has said an investigation is ongoing to unravel the identity of a decomposed body found behind a power transformer in Abakaliki.

The state police spokesperson, DSP Joshua Ukandu, said on Saturday that the investigation would also seek to confirm what must have caused the death.

Mr Ukandu explained that the corpse was found along Onogoro Street leading to the international market.

He said, “Yes, the command has received a report of a corpse found around the market. We are going to carry out an investigation in order to get details of what actually happened. The command has reached out to the DPO covering the area and I am sure plans are ongoing to evacuate the body. For now, nobody knows what happened and how the corpse was dumped behind the transformer. Whether he or she was into vandalism, we do not know yet.’’

Boxing legend Mike Tyson has disclosed the harrowing health ordeal he faced months before stepping into the ring with YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Despite losing the high-profile bout in front of a sold-out crowd at the Dallas Cowboys stadium, Tyson’s journey to the fight itself was a testament to his resilience.

In a tweet reflecting on the event, Tyson shared: “This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets about getting in the ring one last time. I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won. To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you “

Tyson’s health scare, which left him hospitalised and dangerously underweight, stemmed from severe blood loss that required eight transfusions. The 58-year-old fighter admitted that the recovery process was gruelling, making his return to the ring even more remarkable.

The fight marked a major moment for both Tyson and Paul. For Tyson, it was a chance to showcase his enduring grit and inspire his children. For Paul, the bout cemented his reputation as a serious contender in the boxing world.

Though Tyson ultimately fell short on the judges’ scorecards, the former heavyweight champion made it clear that the outcome didn’t define his success. Instead, he emphasized the victory of overcoming his health battle and making it to the ring.

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Rivers State Command, says it has uncovered a new method adopted by crude oil thieves to transport illegally refined petroleum products to neighbouring states.

Rivers State Commandant of the NSCDC, Joachim Okafor, made this disclosure while addressing newsmen at the Command Head Office in Port Harcourt.

Okafor disclosed that oil thieves now convey illegal petroleum products with sport utility vehicles, SUVs, to beat the vigilant eyes of men of the Corps.

According to him, men of the Command’s Anti-Vandal Unit on patrol intercepted three SUVs laden with unquantified adulterated gasoline oil, AGO, popularly known as diesel in two border LGAs of the state.

“The NSCDC Rivers State command’s anti-vandal unit was on patrol at Etche borders in Etche local government area of the Rivers on sighting the patrol team, suspected illegal oil bunkers abandoned a Toyota Sequoia Jeep fully loaded with AGO popularly called Kpofire Diesel, and escaped into a nearby bush.

“The anti-vandal team also experienced a similar incident at Umungu community in Omuma local government area of the state when some suspected oil thieves took to their heels as they saw the men of NSCDC on patrol, for fear of arrest, they quickly jumped out of the two Sequoia Jeeps they were using to convene the adulterated products and ran into a close-by forest,” he said.

He noted that the suspects who are on the run will soon be apprehended, adding that the seized vehicles and the petroleum product will be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The NSCDC boss assured that with the collaborative efforts of citizens, the Command will not relent in securing critical national assets including pipelines against vandals and crude oil thieves who he noted are enemies of the country.

Okafor, therefore, warned oil thieves to delve into meaningful ventures, emphasizing that the command will not spare any one arrested.

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department has reopened the barricaded slip road connecting the Goodluck Jonathan Expressway with Ring Road II at the Galadimawa Interchange.

The acting Director-General of the department, Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, explained on Saturday that the road was barricaded on 25 June to mitigate flooding during the rainy season.

Mohammed stated that the road was reopened to ease traffic flow now that the rainy season has ended.

“The onset of the rainy season in Abuja is usually in May, and the slip road is typically flooded every year, necessitating its closure.

“To the glory of God, no lives were lost in this area since 2020 because we made it a tradition to block the road during the rainy season,” he said.

He commended residents and stakeholders for their understanding and support throughout the rainy season.

The acting Director-General also announced the commencement of the 2024 dry season sensitisation campaign to combat frequent fire outbreaks in the Federal Capital Territory.

Mohammed advised residents to exercise caution when handling cooking gas, petroleum products, electrical appliances, and other inflammable items or chemicals.

He urged residents to keep cooking gas outside their kitchens and to avoid storing petrol or inflammable chemicals in cars or homes.

He also recommended having fire extinguishers in cars, homes, and offices to control potential fire outbreaks.

Additionally, Mohammed cautioned residents to exercise care when burning bushes. He advised anyone undertaking such activity to monitor the fire closely to prevent it from spreading to unintended areas.

The Director of Engineering Services, Federal Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr Richard Dauda, noted that the slip road was part of old infrastructure in the area.

Dauda explained that the road would be reconstructed and elevated to provide a permanent solution to the flooding problem.

He added that upon completing the ongoing construction of the Galadimawa Interchange, a bridge would replace the temporary culvert currently contributing to the road’s flooding.

Nigeria’s representative at the 73rd Miss Universe competition, Chidimma Adetshina, has expressed her excitement after finishing as the first runner-up at the prestigious global pageant held in Mexico on Sunday.

The final moments of the prestigious event at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, early Sunday morning, saw an electrifying face-off between Nigeria and Denmark, as the two women stood poised to claim the crown.

Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, ultimately won the crown, taking over from Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.

In an interview following her success and shared on X.com by the Miss Universe Nigeria organisation, Adetshina expressed excitement and pride, saying, “I’m so excited. I don’t have words to describe what I’m feeling right now, but I’m so proud of myself, and I just made history!”

Adetshina’s achievement came after fierce competition among 126 contestants representing countries from all corners of the world, including 18 African nations.

Her exceptional performance and grace reportedly earned her widespread admiration from judges and audiences alike.

Adetshina’s journey to the Miss Universe stage was not without its challenges.

Earlier this year, she withdrew from the Miss South Africa 2024 competition, where she had advanced to the final stage due to a controversy surrounding her nationality.

However, this did not deter her from pursuing her pageant dreams.

Shortly after, she received an invitation to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria, where she emerged as the winner, representing Taraba State.

The widow of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Mariya, has pledged her eternal love to her late husband.

Mariya also reminisced on the connection she shared with her husband of nearly 17 years, describing their relationship as one built on friendship, love, and unwavering support.

In an emotional tribute to her late husband, included in the burial programme pamphlet, Mariya Lagbaja reflected on their time together.

Lagbaja passed away on November 5 and was buried on Friday, November 15.

Though she acknowledged that their time was cut short, she expressed gratitude for the moments they shared, which she said she would always treasure.

“Meeting you over 17 years ago left an indelible mark on my life. Our friendship stood the test of time and meant the world to me. We shared a bond that was meant to last a lifetime. Though this was cut short, I treasure every moment with you, my shining light,” she wrote.

Mariya recounted their journey, which began on December 29, 2007, the day they vowed to spend their lives together.

She described her late husband as a man who loved, cared for, and devoted himself to her, calling him her strength and source of joy.

She also pledged to love Lagbaja forever, vowing to hold on to their cherished memories and the enduring bond they shared.

She said, “On the 29th of December, 2007, we chose each other for a lifelong journey. But death has taken away the man who loved, cared for, and cherished me with all he had. You carried me when no one was watching, you wiped my tears when I could not hold them back, and your shoulder was my strength to face the world.

“You brought so much beauty and joy to my life. In a world of ordinary moments, you created extraordinary happiness for me. As I look back on how great, amiable, kind, compassionate, generous, and adorable you were to me, I make bold to say that my love for you is forever.

“I will hold our memories, time, moments spent together so dear to my heart and cherish them throughout my lifetime because your love and support were my rock and guiding force always. If only you could hear me now. I love you infinitely.”

Mariya described Lagbaja as the spiritual leader of their home, adding that he inspired her and their children to love and serve God wholeheartedly.

She said, “As the spiritual leader of our home, you taught us to love Jesus and serve him in spirit and truth. At all times, you always sing and dance so joyfully in the presence of God, regardless of your status and this gives me the hope and assurance that you are in a better place, doing just the same with the host of heaven. You were truly our pastor and our priest, and I have no doubt that you are watching over us, my guardian Angel. “

She said despite his busy schedule, Lagbaja was a dedicated father who created time for his children.

Mariya said, “A true and dedicated father you were. The job never gave you enough time to spend with the family or share in the milestones of the children, but those short moments we spent together can never be taken away from us. At every opportunity, you created time for Emmanuel and Dara.

“You looked at their school work, solved mathematical problems or just simply played with them. To us, you are our hero and you will never be forgotten. Your legacy lives on in our children and they promise to make you proud.”

Mariya said her husband fought a good fight to the very end, wondering who would now ask her about the latest trends, call her “Boss,” or hug her every morning before heading to work.

She said, “On the 5th of November, as I looked at you lying there on that bed, I knew you had fought the good fight to the very end. Though you are gone, you will surely be missed by your loved ones, all who knew you, and the countless lives you touched. For me and our children, you will always be in our hearts.”

She continued, “Who will ask me, ‘What is the latest?’ Who will call me, ‘The Boss?’ Who will give me that morning hug before heading off to work?

“I will surely miss all these and so much more, my Jump Master. My leader, my friend, my husband, our father, my hero, my love and God’s General, I salute you. Till we meet to part no more, sleep on Daddy!.”

President Bola Tinubu will on Sunday receive Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, for a state visit at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“Both leaders will exchange signed Memoranda of Understanding to enhance collaboration in critical sectors,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said on Saturday in a statement titled, ‘President Tinubu to host Indian PM in Abuja.’

Modi is scheduled to arrive on Saturday.

Tinubu and Modi will seek to strengthen Nigeria’s and India’s ties further during their bilateral discussions.

His visit to Nigeria will be the first by an Indian prime minister since Dr Manmohan Singh’s state visit in 2007 when the two nations established a strategic partnership.