IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on residents of the state to embrace peace, unity, and collective commitment to building a stronger state. In his Easter message released on Saturday, Fubara described the season as one of “reconciliation and unity,” urging the people to allow the peace of Christ to dwell richly in their hearts and reflect in their daily interactions.

“Easter is a sacred season of reconciliation and unity. It is a time when the peace of Christ dwells richly in our hearts, restoring relationships, comforting the afflicted, feeding the hungry, and healing the brokenhearted. “It is a time to reaffirm our shared belief that peace shall overcome war, and that even shattered dreams can find new life in the light of the resurrection,” he said.

Fubara reaffirmed his dedication to good governance, assuring citizens that the state will remain on course for growth and transformation under his leadership. “This season renews our confidence that nothing — neither hardship, nor adversity, nor even death — can separate us from the love of God in Christ. In Him, we remain victorious. “I reiterate my unwavering commitment to delivering good governance to the resilient and dignified people of Rivers State,” he stated.

He encouraged Rivers people to sustain their support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, expressing optimism about the future. “Therefore, I call on the good people of Rivers State to continue to support and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while looking forward to a better tomorrow,” “Let us not lose sight of our collective strength. The transformation we all desire is achievable when we act together as one people under God, committed to peace, unity, and progress.”

The suspended governor extended prayers of peace, love, and renewed strength to families across the state, wishing all Christians a joyful Easter celebration. 

An ailing Pope Francis made an appearance on Easter Sunday at the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica for his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the City and the World”) address.

The 88-year-old Argentine pontiff — whose presence for Sunday had not been confirmed in advance — appeared in front of the crowd of some 35,000 faithful in St Peter’s Square, without the nasal canula he has been wearing to receive oxygen.

Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa, has smashed the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon. 

Partnering with American chess champion Shawn Martinez, Onakoya surpassed the previous record of 61 hours in New York City’s Times Square. The duo started their marathon on Wednesday, April 17, and is now gunning for an ambitious 70-hour target. 

Onakoya’s efforts aim to raise awareness and funds for Nigeria’s largest tuition-free school for homeless children, with proceeds from limited-edition chess sets going directly towards the cause. 

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, arrived at Yakubu Gowon airport, Heipang on Saturday for a condolence visit, and assessment of areas attacked in Zikke community of Bassa local government area.

The minister was received by General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation Safe Haven, Maj Gen Folusho Oyinlola, accompanied by Rtd Brig Gen Gakji Shipi, Special Assistant to the Governor on security matters and other senior military officers.

This is as a prominent Northern Christian cleric, Isa El-Buba, raised alarm over what he described as an ongoing genocide in the state.

El-Buba alleged that foreign terrorists are colluding with some local herders to violently displace communities and occupy their ancestral lands.

“These are not the local herders that we used to know. These are Fulani terrorists who target communities. When these terrorists come in, they connive with some of the locals. ”They give them information. They come in from outside and they invade,” he said. 

A building housing a local restaurant on Oremeta Street in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos has collapsed, with many feared dead.

It was gathered that the building collapsed at about 8 am on Saturday.