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Ahiara: Bishop Ugorji Celebrates First Mass As Diocese Crisis Ends
The atmosphere was electrifying as the laity, priests, religious and traditional rulers thronged the Mater Dei Ecclesia Cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, to attend the first mass to be celebrated at the cathedral in six years following the protracted crisis that ensued over the appointment of Bishop Ebere Peter Okpalaeke.
As earlier as 8a.m., the cathedral was already filled to the brim as the faithful were already seated eagerly waiting for the arrival of the new Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Bishop of Umuahia, for the Mass slated to begin at 10a.m.
As soon as Bishop Ugorji stepped into the cathedral accompanied by all the priests of the diocese and knights of the church, he was given a rousing welcome, just as a traditional cannon salute boomed in his honour.
Addressing the people, the Apostolic Administrator paid a glowing tribute to the people of Mbaise for their remarkable religious and enterprising spirits, noting that he looks forward to working closer with the people during his pastoral visits to the parishes.
“I feel highly privileged to serve a people known for their remarkable religious and enterprising spirit. I look forward to drawing closer to you during my pastoral visits in your parishes to administer the sacraments. I extend warm greetings to the seminarians on internship and look forward to meeting with them soon. I cannot wait to share fraternal communion with all priests of the diocese of Ahiara at the Chrism Mass on Maundy Thursday, where we shall bless oils for our ministry and together renew our commitment to priestly service,” he said.
He pointed out that in appointing him as the Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese, the Catholic Pontiff sent him as a messenger of peace and reconciliation with the mandate and mission of initiating the process of healing and renewal in the local church.
He, however, noted that the Pope reserves the right to evaluate the spiritual and ecclesiastical progress in Ahiara Diocese before he makes any decision regarding governance.
“In carrying out my mandate, I wish to stress that every authentic healing and renewal begins within reconciliation with God, who gives peace to our souls. It is, therefore, a very happy coincidence that this call for healing and renewal in the Diocese of Ahiara is being made during this holy season of Lent, when the church urges us to heed the proclamation of Christ: Repent and believe the gospel.
“In fostering unity and peace in Ahiara Diocese, we must eschew attitudes and utterances of triumphalism or self-righteousness that can fan the embers of disunity and disaffection. Therefore, there should be no more hate speeches. With Isaiah, the prophet, I urge you to beat your swords into ploughshore and spears into pruning hooks. Please turn away from the path of belligerence which brings ruin and embrace the path of peace, unity and development,” the Bishop said. (Sunday Sun)
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King Charles Reportedly “Really Unwell” And Funeral Plans Are Currently Being Reviewed
King Charles III’s health is causing concern for friends and the palace as he continues to battle cancer.
“Speaking to friends of the king in recent weeks about his health, the most common response is … ‘It’s not good,’” Tom Sykes of the Daily Beast reported Thursday, April 25.
A friend of the monarch claimed Charles “is determined to beat it and they are throwing everything at it,” adding, “Everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really very unwell. More than they are letting on.”
Royal writer Tina Brown also hinted at the monarch’s health struggles, writing recently that Charles’ cancer has put Prince William and Kate Middleton “in frightening proximity to ascending the throne just when they had hoped for a span of years to parent their children out of the public eye.”
“The prospect of it, I am told, is causing them intense anxiety.”
Sykes also reported that the king’s funeral plans, codenamed “Operation Menai Bridge”, are currently being reviewed.
A separate document that states what went well at Queen Elizabeth’s September 2022 funeral and what could be done better the next time a monarch dies is also circulating, according to the Daily Beast.
All the sources emphasized that royal funeral plans are constantly in review. However, one former staffer in particular conceded that Charles’ health woes have given his plans a different urgency.
“The plans have been dusted off and are actively being kept up to date,” the former staffer explained.
“It’s no more than what you would expect given the king has been diagnosed with cancer. But the circulation of them has certainly focused minds.”
Buckingham Palace announced in February that after undergoing surgery for a benign prostate enlargement, it was discovered that the king has cancer.
We hope the king gets well soon.
News
EFCC: New Documents Extracted Shows Yahaya Bello Allegedly Paid School Fees To The Tune Of $845,852,84 For His Family Members
Still on the EFCC trailing on Ex Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Documents serving as exhibits have shown how he allegedly paid school fees in advance for his family members already in the school and even those to be enrolled in future with hundreds of thousands of dollars withdrawn from the state coffers.
A letter from the American International School of Abuja to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has shown the school admitting that Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, paid $845,852,84 into their bank account since September 2021 as advance school fees for 4 family members from the present class until they graduate.
Payment was also made for any future student to be enrolled by the family.
The document alleges that the payment was made by Mr. Ali Bello, alleged to be the eldest son of Yahaya Bello.
In the document, the school stated that they have deducted the fees for the educational service already rendered to the Bello children in the institution and what is left is $760, 910, which would be refunded to an account provided by the EFCC as the commission continues investigation into alleged money laundering levelled against Yahaya Bello.
The school also added that from the Bello family kids, “no further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition until they graduate from ASIA.”
News
Niger State Prisoners Run From Facility After Rainstorm Brings Down Part Of Fencing
Many prisoners serving time at the Suleja Correctional Centre, located in Suleja Local Government of Niger state, fled the facility after a rainstorm brought down a part of the inner fencing.
This incident happened as a result of the heavy rainfall which fell on Wednesday night. This led to a cell being torn down, providing incarcerated individuals with a chance at freedom.
Reporters gathered that security forces fired many shots in the air, attempting to scare the inmates out of hiding.
While the State Comptroller of Prisons declined to speak to the press, it has been noted that security has been beefed up on the Minna-Suleja and Suleja-Kaduna roads, including the Madalla axis to Abuja road, which is a likely escape route out of the state for the inmates.
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