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Pope Francis ‘stable,’ no repeat of breathing crisis – Vatican

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Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for two weeks with double pneumonia, is in a “stable” condition, with no repeat of the previous day’s breathing crisis, the Vatican said Saturday.

The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church is still receiving oxygen, but has no fever, has been eating, was alert and praying, the Holy See said in its regular evening update.

His haemodynamic parameters — those relating to the flow of blood — are also stable and he does not have leukocytosis, a high white blood cell count that often indicates an infection, the Vatican said.

“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father have remained stable,” it said, while adding that the prognosis, as in previous days, remained “reserved”.

Francis, leader of the world’s almost 1.4 billion Catholics, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 with bronchitis, but it soon developed into pneumonia in both lungs.

Last weekend the Vatican reported he was in a “critical” condition, suffering a major respiratory attack and requiring blood transfusions, prompting widespread concern.

Throughout the week it described a series of incremental improvements, but then on Friday, there was more alarming news.

Francis “presented an isolated crisis of bronchospasm which… led to an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the respiratory picture”, the Vatican said.

His doctors said it would take 24 to 48 hours to see if this has worsened his condition or not.

Andrea Ungar, professor of geriatrics at the University of Florence, told AFP on Saturday that it appeared vomit had entered the pope’s lungs, which “aggravated the pneumonia”.

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Such an issue normally required a strengthening of antibiotics, ventilation and respiratory exercises, he said.

He also agreed that the first 24 to 48 hours after an incident were crucial, adding that the pontiff would likely stay in hospital a long time, “at least 10 days” in the most optimistic scenario.

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Labour Party: LPPMC hails Supreme Court victory for Sen. Nenadi Usman, calls for unity 

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6 hours ago

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April 5, 2025

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By Amos Tauna, Kaduna

The Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC), has expressed its full solidarity with Senator Nenadi Usman, the National chairperson of Labour Party National Caretaker Committee, and the NLC Political Committee on the landmark Supreme Court judgment that overturned earlier rulings of the High Court and Court of Appeal that erroneously affirmed Barr. Julius Abure as National Chairman of the Labour Party.

Dr. Kingsley Okundaye, National Coordinator of

Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC), in a statement said, “We call on all Nigerians to seize this moment to see it as a stepping stone toward reclaiming their country. The journey to a New Nigeria where leaders are accountable, institutions work, and citizens thrive, demands our collective resolve.”

According to him, the apex court’s resounding vindication of Senator Usman’s principled legal battle marks a pivotal triumph for democracy, internal party justice, and the collective aspirations of Nigerians yearning for credible leadership.

The LPPMC applauds Senator Nenadi Usman’s unwavering courage in pursuing the case to its logical conclusion, saying that her doggedness in challenging flawed judgments through the judicial hierarchy has not only restored integrity to the Labour Party’s leadership but has also reaffirmed the judiciary’s role as the last hope of the common man.

He stated, “By declaring her appeal meritorious, the Supreme Court has validated her steadfast commitment to due process, rule of law, and the ideals of transparency that underpin the New Nigeria project.”

The statement added, “This judgment is a clarion call to all progressive forces to unite under Senator Usman’s leadership. It is a historic opportunity to rebuild the Labour Party as a credible vehicle for rescuing Nigeria from the clutches of bad governance, economic collapse, and systemic corruption.”

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Okundaye urged all LPPMC members nationwide, Labour Party stakeholders, the NLC, and the Obidient movement to rally behind Senator Nenadi Usman’s caretaker committee, advising that it is not the time for division but for solidarity to consolidate the hard-won victory.

 

He called alls for collaborative action to implement reforms, promote inclusivity, and position the Labour Party as the authentic voice of the masses.

According to him, “The Supreme Court’s judgment is a testament to Senator Usman’s resilience, the NLC Political Committee’s solidarity, and the righteousness of our collective cause. This victory belongs to every Nigerian who believes in the rule of law and the possibility of a functional nation. Let us unite under her leadership to transform this legal triumph into a political revolution that upends bad governance.”

 

The LPPMC said it recognizes the role played by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Political Committee in the struggle, stressing that their relentless advocacy, mobilization of workers, and unwavering solidarity with Senator Usman’s cause were instrumental in sustaining pressure for justice.

“The NLC’s commitment to reclaiming the Labour Party as a vehicle for progressive governance aligns with the LPPMC’s vision of a nation where institutions serve the people, not vested interests,” the statement explained.

 

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Accident claims 7 lives on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

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April 5, 2025

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No fewer than seven persons died in an early morning accident at NIPCO filling station axis on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Saturday.

The Spokesperson, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun, Mrs Florence Okpe, confirmed the incident in a statement in Abeokuta.

Okpe stated that the crash, which occurred at 7:00a.m., involved a Mack truck marked SEY 363 YY, a tanker with registration number T2900LA and a bus marked LSD 180 YA.

The FRSC spokesperson said that 15 people were involved in the accident, comprising 13 men and two women, adding that four persons were injured while seven people died.

She said that the accident occurred due to speed and loss of control by the driver of the Mack truck, which rammed into the two other vehicles.

” The injured victims were taken to Divine Touch Hospital and Glory Center Hospital, Ibafo, while the deceased were taken to Idera morgue Sagamu,” she said.

The Sector Commander, Mr Akinwumi Fasakin sympathised with the families of the crash victims.

He urged those whose family members were on the road early in the morning, but had still not arrived their destination to contact FRSC for more information. (NAN)

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Navy confiscates vessels carrying illicit arms, crude oil in Niger Delta

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8 hours ago

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April 5, 2025

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The Nigerian Navy has apprehended some vessels carrying illicit arms and stolen crude oil and destroyed several illegal refining sites through its Operation Delta Sanity II in the month of March.

The Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Adams-Aliu said the troops had on March 7, uncovered and destroyed an illegal refinery site laden with about 5,500 litres of stolen crude oil, and 2,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), at Oteghele community in Warri, South-West Local Government Area of Delta.

He said the site also contained one oven, nine dugout pits, 15 polythene sacks of illegally refined AGO, 13 sacks of stolen crude oil, and one pumping machine.

He added that a big wooden boat laden with 40,000 litres of crude oil was seized around Okrika and Ogajama general area in Rivers on March 8.

“On March 9, a seagoing vessel, MFT Olokun VIII with IMO Registration N0: 8778275 was arrested around Saint Nicholas River in Bayelsa, with illegal arms and ammunition onboard.

“The arms included one G3 Rifle, one pump action gun, 20 rounds of 762/51mm ammunition and seven live cartridges.

“Two suspects linked to the illegal firearms were also arrested and will face prosecution,” he said.

The naval spokesman said the troops had on March 10, discovered and deactivated three illegal refinery sites, with three ovens, seven dugout pits, and eight sacks with 3,700 litres of crude oil around Obodo Omadino in Warri, South-West Local Government Area, Delta.

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He added that 23 polythene sacks with 1,900 litres of illegally refined AGO was also discovered at the site.

According to him, a vandalised wellhead, eight illegal refinery sites, 55 ovens, 12 reservoirs and 30 dugout pits with about 55,000 litres of stolen crude oil and about 4,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were discovered and seized around Ohaji/Egbema West in Rivers on March 13.

“On March 14, two wooden boats laden with over 5,000 litres of stolen crude oil, and two drums were seized along Dodo River in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

“On March 15, a fibre boat laden with 1000 litres of stolen crude oil was seized around Bille/Krakrama waterways in Rivers.

On March 17, three Illegal Refinery Sites, two ovens, 10 dugout pits, three sacks with about 2,700 litres of stolen crude oil and 18 polythene sacks of about 1,900 litres of illegally refined AGO were discovered and deactivated around Obodo Omadino in Warri, South-West Local Government Area of Delta.

“On March 20, two wooden boats actively siphoning crude oil from a wellhead, two drums of stolen crude oil and one cooking oven were discovered and seized around Clough creek and Dodo river in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

“On March 23, two illegal refining sites, 2 ovens, 10 dugout pits, 13 polythene sacks, three drums, with 2,700 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,200 litres of illegally refined AGO were seized around Oteghele, Obodo Omadino general area,” he added.

Adams-Aliu said the troops also seized a wooden boat laden with 1500 litres of crude oil was around Bille and Krakrama creeks in Rivers and another boat with about 100,000 litres of crude oil was around Egbessan oilfield, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

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According to him, a wooden boat laden with 30,000 litres of illegally refined PMS was seized at Okirika axis in Rivers.

He said the troops had on March 27, uncovered and deactivated a suspected cultist/kidnappers camp, four vandalised wellheads, eight illegal refining sites containing 40 ovens, 30 reservoirs, 50 dugout pits, with about 70,000 litres crude oil, 25,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 15,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene.

He added that a storage facility with 15 jerrycans (30 litres) of illegally refined AGO was discovered around Bigimi, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, among others during the month.

“The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, hereby reiterates that the Nigerian Navy ,will continue to intensify its operations in support of Nigeria’s economic activities, particularly the mandate to improve crude oil production as directed by President Bola Tinubu,” he said. (NAN)

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