Oyo CAN Calls On Nigerians For Unity, Forgiveness In Easter Message

Easter message. Mr Owolabi also called on all churches in the country to address social issues.

Revd. Samuel Owolabi, the Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State Chapter, has called on Nigerians to apply the teachings of Easter, which are selflessness and sacrifice, to their lives.

In an interview with journalists in Ibadan on Saturday, the CAN scribe also tasked Nigerians to embrace love, forgiveness, and moderation.

Mr Owolabi, who is also the Presbyter of Methodist Church Nigeria, Wesley Cathedral, Elekuro, Ibadan, said that possessing these virtues would ensure unity and love in the country.

He said, “No matter the ethnic group or religious affiliation, we must look beyond our differences and work towards building a better nation.”

Citing John 3:16, Ephesians 4:32, and Philippians 2:3–4, the Oyo CAN secretary emphasised the need for all Nigerians to imbibe these virtues.

“Let’s prioritise empathy, understanding, and collective action; let’s focus on what unites the family, culture, and community.

“We must not let religious or political differences divide us.

“We’re all related in one way or another, let’s reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice (Romans 5:8) and strive to be better versions of ourselves, promoting unity and peace,” he said.

Mr Owolabi also called on all churches in the country to address social issues such as poverty and work with the government to tackle insecurity.

“Jesus Christ provided for people’s needs and treated everyone equally. The church must work with government, especially on insecurity issues, by speaking against injustices.

“Aiding the vulnerable according to Matthew and promoting education must be the church’s primary responsibility, not money.

CAN

“Churches are foremost agents of change, showing God’s love through action as stated in 1 John 3:18, so let’s prioritise love and tolerance to make a better nation,” Mr Owolabi said.

The Presbyter praised Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on developments recorded in the state and encouraged residents to participate in the upcoming 2027 elections.

“In all, every Nigerian must strive to be agents of change, showing love and empathy to those around them and working towards a country where everyone feels valued, safe, and included.”

ADC Announces Establishment Of Special Representatives Network In Key Global Capitals

Special representatives network. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced the establishment of an ADC Special Representatives Network in key foreign capitals as part of a new initiative to strengthen the party’s international engagement and promote democratic accountability in Nigeria.

The initiative comes in response to the growing pattern of undemocratic practices and attacks on opposition members and leaders that have persisted since July 2025, including attempts to destabilize opposition parties, undermine legitimate party leadership structures, and restrict democratic political participation.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the party said that the Special Representatives Network is designed to create structured channels of communication between the ADC and influential international stakeholders, particularly in countries and institutions that prioritize democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

Under the initiative, the party will appoint credible representatives as envoys in strategically selected global capitals. These representatives will serve as official points of contact between the ADC and international actors including foreign governments, parliamentary committees, international media organizations, democracy support institutions, and Nigerian diaspora communities.

Through these engagements, the representatives will provide regular briefings on key issues relating to Nigeria’s political environment, including political developments in the country, human rights concerns, democratic governance, electoral integrity, and allegations of repression against opposition actors. They will also communicate the ADC’s policy positions and reform proposals to international stakeholders.

According to the party, the primary objective of the initiative is to ensure that international partners and democratic institutions receive balanced and credible information about Nigeria’s political environment, rather than relying solely on official government narratives.

The ADC stated that by institutionalizing these channels of engagement, the party seeks to strengthen its credibility as a responsible democratic actor while also reinforcing its position as a viable governing alternative committed to democratic norms and constitutional governance.

Based on their global influence, commitment to democratic governance, and the presence of significant Nigerian diaspora communities, the party has identified Washington, DC; London; Brussels; Berlin; Ottawa; Paris; Pretoria; Addis Ababa; Nairobi; Accra; Geneva; and New York for its international strategic engagements.

ADC

As part of the initiative, the party will also establish a National Documentation Initiative, to systematically collect and document incidents affecting political participation across Nigeria. Under this system, state party structures will gather information on incidents including threats, harassment, violent attacks, arbitrary arrests, and disruptions of political activities.

ADC emphasized that the initiative represents a strategic step toward strengthening its international presence, improving the flow of credible information about political developments in Nigeria, and reinforcing its commitment to democratic governance, political accountability, and the protection of opposition rights.

Signed:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Kwara Police Arrests Suspected Bandit Allegedly Coming From Kogi To Join ISWAP

Kwara police arrests suspected bandit. Police operatives, the National Forest Guards, and vigilante group members, during a routine patrol at Nanu in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday, arrested one Mallami Abubakar, a suspected bandit from Kogi State.

Spokesperson for the Kwara State police command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement on Saturday, said the nabbed 20-year-old suspect was contacted by a friend from Niger State and asked to travel to Farinsuni to join a terrorist group.

The command said, “On April 1, 2026, at about 0800 hours, a joint patrol team comprising Police operatives, the National Forest Guards, and members of the Kaiama Vigilante Group (KVG), while on routine patrol in Nanu, intercepted and arrested one Mallami Abubakar, a 20-year-old male from Isanlu Dankuturu in Kogi State.

“Preliminary investigation and interrogation revealed that the suspect had allegedly been contacted on March 30, 2026, by a friend identified as “Babi” (surname unknown) from Babana Village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The individual reportedly invited him to travel to Farinsuni via Baruten Local Government Area with the intention of joining a group believed to be affiliated with ISWAP/Lakurawa before his arrest.”

Police

According to the command, the suspect is now in police custody, and a full investigation is ongoing to ascertain the extent of his involvement and to apprehend other individuals connected to the case.

The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, while reiterating his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents, urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.