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Catholics Gather To Hear Pope Francis Give Easter Mass

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Tens of thousands of Catholics will gather Sunday at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City to hear Pope Francis give Easter Mass and a traditional blessing.

The 87-year-old pontiff will preside over the mass from 10:00 am (0800 GMT), pronouncing the “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) blessing at midday, with the events broadcast live around the world.

Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is the culmination of Holy Week, a major part of the Catholic calendar followed by 1.3 billion people.

The pope on Saturday presided over the Easter Vigil at the Vatican in front of some 6,000 people from around the world, a day after his last-minute cancellation at a major Good Friday procession revived questions about his health.

He delivered a 10-minute homily in Italian, speaking without any undue difficulty and condemning “the walls of selfishness and indifference” in the world.

At the end of the two-and-a-half-hour service he showed little sign of fatigue, taking time to greet and bless some of the worshippers.

In a brief statement Friday, the Vatican had said that “to preserve his health ahead of tomorrow’s vigil and the Easter Sunday mass, Pope Francis will this evening follow the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum from the Santa Marta Residence”, where he lives.

The last-minute decision raised questions about how long Francis can continue to lead the Catholic Church.

A Vatican source told AFP on Friday that there was “no particular concern” about his health, and that the decision to pull out had been “simply a measure of caution”.

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The Argentinian Jesuit had also cancelled his participation in the “Via Crucis” in 2023, but that followed a three-day hospital stay for bronchitis, and was announced well ahead of time. Weeks later, he underwent a hernia operation.

Up until Friday, the pope had attended his various engagements throughout the week, but he recently appeared tired and has sometimes delegated speaking roles to colleagues.

Francis, who never takes holidays, made his last trip in September, to the southern French city of Marseille. In December, he cancelled a much-anticipated attendance at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.

His next scheduled trip is to Venice on April 28. The Vatican has not yet confirmed a planned trip to Asia and Pacific Ocean nations for this summer.

Francis has previously left the door open to stepping down if he can no longer do the job. That would follow the example of his immediate predecessor, Benedict XVI, who in 2013 became the first pope since the Middle Ages to voluntarily step aside.

But in a memoir published this month, Francis wrote that he did “not have any cause serious enough to make me think of resigning”.

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APC Youth Group Counters Jaji’s Claims Against Matawalle

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The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.

“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.

The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.

“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”

The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.

“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.

The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.

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“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.

The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.

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Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students

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By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.

Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.

Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.

He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.

In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.

“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.

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He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.

“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.

The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.

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Senator Natasha: Nigerians are watching – Arewa youths to INEC, police

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Amid the recall process initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly has told both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the police that Nigerians are keenly watching their actions.

This came amid viral video of some politicians in the Kogi State mass-signing signatures purported to be that of the Senator’s constituents.

It was gathered that the Senator has already petitioned the police over the development.

However, addressing journalists on Tuesday, the National President of Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly, Shuaibu Usman, accused the INEC of always compromising the electoral process in Kogi State.

Usman, who recalled how results of the last governorship election in the state emerged even before the exercise commenced, urged the commission to redeem itself.

He said, “Kogi parades as a worst example when it comes to INEC conduct of election in Nigeria. We have not forgotten how many credible organisations, including Yiaga Africa, raised the alarm of the electoral heist that went on during the last guber election in that state.

“So, INEC has been notorious for providing a thriving ground for politicians in Kogi State to mess up the country’s electoral system.

“The same people are at it again, this time hiding under the guise of a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. With their Kogi magic, they quickly manufactured over 250,000 signatures, whereas the entire voters during the main election stood at 120,000.

“One need not be a suitsayer to know that these are the same elements who are known to be chronic election riggers, with INEC as their enablers.

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“However, we must caution the INEC that this should not be business as usual; this is beyond Kogi State, so Nigerians are watching.

“We were taken aback when the INEC after announcing that the petition did not meet its requirements, returned a day after to tell Nigerians that the same petitioners have met the requirements- what a quick fix!

“The INEC must not kowtow to the whims and caprices of desperate political elements in Kogi State, as this will be resisted by Nigerians.”

Similarly, the apex Igbo group also urged the police to ensure that all those in forging the signatures of Senator Natasha’s constituents were brought to book.

According to the group, the viral videos showed known faces in Kogi State, wondering why the police were yet to effect any arrest.

“By now, we had expected that some of the perpetrators should be cooling their heels in custody or having their days in court, but it is yet to happen.

“There should be no room for compromise, the culprits, no matter how highly placed, should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.

“We urge that the police should engage forensic experts to analyze those signatures before the INEC takes any further step in the said petition,” Usman further stated.

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