Nigeria Not Safe Country, Catholic Bishops Tell Pope Leo XIV

Nigeria not safe country, Catholic bishops tell Pope Leo XIV. The bishops told EWTN News they took the opportunity during their meeting with the pope to inform him of the problems facing the church in Nigeria.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria
Nigerian Catholic bishops, during their recent “ad limina” meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Rome, raised the alarm over the violence and insurgency they face as apostles serving in various parts of Nigeria.

The meeting of Nigerian bishops with the pontiff—held between March 1 and 16—takes place by canon law once every five years.

The bishops told EWTN News they took the opportunity during their meeting with the pope to inform him of the problems facing the church in Nigeria.

Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso of Kaduna, who was recently elected head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, said, “Before we came to Rome, we bishops sent reports on our dioceses to the Vatican, and the summary was given to the Holy Father.”

He added, “But beyond what was written, we discussed with him the violence, the insurgencies, and the difficulties we face as apostles on the ground.”

Archbishop Adewale Martins of Lagos said, “The issue of Christian violence came up very strongly with the pope, and he told us that he will use whatever possibilities he has to highlight our situation and see what he can do for us.”

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, one of Nigeria’s four cardinals and Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, who also met with the pope, told the news agency Aleteia: “No one is safe in Nigeria today, whether Christian or Muslim.”

He added, “We’ve come to speak on behalf of all Nigerians who are suffering and wish to live in peace, whether they are Christians or Muslims.”

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This comes amid a campaign on the “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, which the Nigerian government has repeatedly denied.

Last year, amid the campaign on “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, American President Donald Trump declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern.

On December 25, Mr Trump ordered the U.S. military to bomb terrorists in their enclave in Sokoto, while warning that more similar military actions will happen should the Nigerian government not stop reckless k1llings perpetrated by terrorists in Africa’s most populous country.

UK Court Sentences Fred Akinsanya, Daniel Raji To 21 Years In Prison For Drugging, Raping 15-Year-Old Girl

UK Court sentences Fred Akinsanya, Daniel Raji to 21 years in prison for drugging, raping 15-year-old girl. The duo bought their victim drinks at the Irish pub Paddy’s Yard in Brixton, south London, on February 8, 2025.

Inner London Crown Court, on Thursday, heard that the duo of Messrs Akinsanya and Raji bought their victim drinks at the Irish pub Paddy’s Yard in Brixton, south London, on February 8, 2025.

Afterwards, they invited their victim and some of her friends back to Mr Raji’s flat to smoke cannabis and dance. While her friends could not persuade her to leave with them, she was raped and filmed.

Sentencing Messrs Akinsanya and Raji, Judge Richards condemned them for drugging and raping their victim, lamenting the effect of their nefarious act on the 15-year-old victim.

“The fact that you two abused her one after the other clearly aggravates the matter. The victim was harmed for a long time,” Mr Richards said. “Alcohol was used to render her vulnerable, the effect of the alcohol was exploited by both of you. Whilst incapable, she was raped by both of you.”

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The judge said the victim “lost her self-confidence. She can no longer go out. She will live with this for the rest of her life.”

While Mr Akinsanya, 34, was sentenced to 10 years for rape, Mr Raji, 29, was sentenced to 11 years upon being convicted of two counts of rape and taking an indecent image of a child.

Nigeria, Ireland Sets To Deepen Bilateral, Economic Ties

Nigeria, Ireland sets to deepen bilateral, economic ties. Mr Chambers revealed that the engagement would foster collaboration and explore investment opportunities.

They said this during Ireland’s Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers’, visit to the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

The aim of the visit was to strengthen economic and trade relations between Nigeria and Ireland and to foster dialogue on infrastructure development, digital transformation, public-sector reform, and investment opportunities.

Mr Chambers stated that his visit to Nigeria was to deepen bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries.

Mr Chambers revealed that the engagement would foster collaboration and explore investment opportunities across key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

He identified priority areas of interest to include technology, infrastructure development, agriculture, and healthcare, stressing that Nigeria’s large market and growing economy present significant opportunities for Irish businesses.

According to him, Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial hub and a key economic centre in West Africa, remains an attractive destination for investment and strategic partnerships.

“The roundtable is designed to bring together key stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s critical sectors and Ireland’s potential role in supporting development, and ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment,” he said.

Mr Chambers added that his visit, the first to Nigeria, also featured the opening of Ireland’s new embassy building in Abuja.

This, he described as the country’s largest capital investment on the African continent and a demonstration of its commitment to Nigeria and the wider region.

The minister said Ireland, though a small country, had developed globally competitive industry hubs in areas such as technology, finance, infrastructure, and agri-food, which could serve as a foundation for deeper collaboration.

He emphasised that partnerships between Ireland and Nigeria would be mutually beneficial, noting that Ireland also offers access to the European Union market of over 450 million consumers.

“The partnerships we seek are two-way and mutually beneficial, based on shared expertise, local knowledge, and long-term commitment,” he said.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the minister’s presence was a clear symbol of the deepening friendship and shared aspirations uniting both nations.

Mr Sanwo-Olu, represented by Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Secretary to the State Government, said his administration was committed to nurturing a friendship grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and purposeful collaboration across several sectors.

They include education, governance, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, and economic development, reflecting a commitment to progress, innovation, and prosperity.

The governor revealed that the current Lagos administration was transforming into a more efficient, responsive, and forward-looking government.

“From landmark transport projects like the Lagos Rail Mass Transit and the Blue Line, to the expansion of our road networks, waterways, and improvements in healthcare services, we are committed to making daily life easier, safer, and more productive for our residents,” he said.

He added that Lagos was modernising governance, strengthening its public service, enhancing accountability, and ensuring citizens can access services seamlessly.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the state’s digital transformation agenda simplified processes, reduced delays, and built a transparent, citizen-focused system.

“We welcome innovative ideas, partnerships, and opportunities that can improve the lives of our people.

“Lagos is a city of opportunity, collaboration, and shared progress.

“We are particularly delighted by the opportunities to deepen our engagement with Ireland, and we believe there is much we can learn from each other, and even more that we can achieve together,” he said.

The president of LCCI, Leye Kupoluyi, said the Nigeria-Ireland roundtable had gone beyond diplomatic engagement to reflect a convergence of shared economic priorities between the two countries.

Nigeria, Ireland

Mr Kupoluyi said the discussions focused on key areas critical to economic transformation, including infrastructure development, efficient public expenditure, digitalisation, and institutional reforms needed to build resilient economies.

He noted that Nigeria and the United Kingdom had recently signed various agreements, including a £746 million deal to redevelop Lagos ports, the expansion of business visas, and other foreign direct investments.

He added that the visit reinforced a critical point: that the future of economic prosperity is increasingly collaborative.

“Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, presents vast opportunities across infrastructure development, digital innovation, agribusiness, and industrialisation.

“Ireland, with its strong track record in public sector reform, technology, and investment facilitation, offers valuable lessons and potential for partnership.

“We trust that this engagement marks not an endpoint but the beginning of a deeper, more structured partnership between our two economies,” he said.