The Catholic Diocese of Warri in Delta has suspended Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe from priestly duties following his alleged marriage in the United States.
This is contained in a statement issued by the diocese in Warri.
The statement titled: “Decree of Suspension,” is jointly signed by the Bishop of Warri, Rt. Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, and the Chancellor/Notary, Very Rev. Fr. Clement Abobo.
The Diocese alleged that Fr. Oghenerukevwe entered into marriage with Ms. Dora Chichah on December 29, 2024, at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA.
“By this action, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon 1394 §1.
”I, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, do hereby officially decree that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry,” the statement read.
The footage of the marriage posted by the bride’s sister had reportedly circulated widely on social media, prompting the church to act.
The Diocese revealed that Fr. Oghenerukevwe had requested on November 30, 2024, to be released from all canonical obligations associated with Holy Orders.
However, the Diocese said it reached out to him, asking for the required documents to begin the process, but the priest went on to marry without completing the procedure.
“As such, he is prohibited from presenting himself as a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri in any capacity.
“All canonical implications associated with this suspension take immediate effect (cf. Can. 1333),” the statement added.
The Diocese further stated that Fr. Oghenerukevwe retains the right to petition for the revocation or amendment of the decree but must demonstrate a willingness to reform.
“May God grant him the grace to reflect on this situation and guide him on the path of reconciliation,” the statement added.
The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), Prof. Aisha Maikudi, with the Chinese education delegation, during their visit to the university.
By Mark Longyen
The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), Prof. Aisha Maikudi, has said that the university will soon commence a Confucius Institute, that is, Chinese language learning and culture programme.
Maikudi disclosed this while welcoming students from China’s Tsinghua University’s School of Journalism and Communications to the institution.
She said that the University of Abuja is a close partner of China, based on its long-standing relationship with the country, adding that her students werealready studyingsome Mandarin courses.
The VC expressed her delight at the visit, and assured the delegation of the University’s full cooperation.
“I believe our Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, and the Departmentof Political Science, will be able toestablish stronger academic relationships with Chinese institutions,” she said.
Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, who led the student delegation, described the University of Abuja as one of the best in Africa and expressed hope for greater collaboration.
“We have had extensive cooperation between universities in Nigeria and China to promote cultural integration.
“The University of Abuja is one of the best in this continent.
“Tsinghua University is also one of the best universities in China.
“So, we look forward to having a productive working relationship with the two,” Dunhai said.
Also speaking, Dr Sheriff Ibrahim, Head of the Department of Political Science and an expert on China-Africa relations, said the exchange programme between the two universities would enhance mutual cultural understanding.
They also participated in a seminar on “Mutual Learning between Chinese and Nigeria’s Civilizations” at the university’s Faculty of Communications and Media Studies.
It would be recalled that President Xi of China, once described it as the beacon of a peaceful international system for people to maintain mutual learning among civilisations and develop a spirit of tolerance to make the world a better place.
Periscope International reports that the delegation comprised of the Dean and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Media Communication of the Tsinghua University, two faculty members and 17 PhD students.
The visit was part of moves to strengthen the student exchange programmebetween the two universities.
China’s Confucius Institute is a public educational and cultural promotion programme, which aims to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese language (Mandarin) teaching internationally, and facilitate cultural exchanges.
China has been accused of using CI as a form of “soft power,” which she spends approximately 10 billion dollars yearly on it and related programs to exercise these initiatives.
Sudanese men have earned the top spots for global penis length ranking.
This is according to Data Pandas, an online library of datasets about health, crime, education, demographics, and the economy.
The researchers performed a sweeping review of existing studies from around the world that measured penis size by health professionals in samples of 50 people or more.
The study reports that their men have an average of 7.07 inches, when erected.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) men are next with an average penis size of 7.05 inches, when erected.
Ecuador is ranked third with an average of 6.93 inches.
The Republic of the Congo and Ghana have average lengths of approximately 6.83 inches and 6.81 inches, respectively.
Nigerian men round out the top five with an average of 6.69 inches followed by Venezuela with 6.66 inches.
Lebanese men have 6.62 inches, while Colombian men average 6.59 inches and Cameroon 6.55 inches.
France leads with an average girth of 5.37 inches around, followed closely by the Netherlands at 5.33 inches.
Belgium and Denmark men share similar measurements, at 5.22 inches each, securing the fourth and fifth positions.
Australia, which was ranked 20th for length, had the world’s sixth-highest average girth followed by Norway at 5.18 inches and Sudan at 5.15 inches.
The countries with reported smallest sizes tend to be located in Southeast or East Asia.
Thailand men rank first with an average erect penis length of approximately 3.71 inches, followed by North Korea at 3.78 inches.
Cambodian men’s average penis length is about 3.88 inches, while Nepal’s is around 3.93 inches.
Myanmar’s is 3.97 inches, and Laos’s is 4.00 inches.
Vietnam’s average is approximately 4 inches, while Sri Lanka’s average is around 4.02 inches.
South Korea averages about 4.26 inches, and the Philippines ranks at approximately 4.28 inches.
According to the report, the measurements were derived from self-reporting.
This however opens the possibility that the men surveyed may have exaggerated the sizes of their manhoods.
Nigeria’s controversial pastor, Abel Damina, the founder of Abel Damina Ministries and Power City International, Uyo, has again elicited another round of controversy that is currently trending.
Damina stirred the hornets nest in Christendom when he delivered a thought-provoking viral New Year’s Eve sermon that questioned some long-held beliefs and biblical passages, sparking a significant debate.
His controversial sermon stirred up a storm due to his claim that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are not sins, contrary to popular Christian belief.
The 64-year-old cleric also questioned the belief that Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden was caused by eating fruit from the forbidden fruit.
By referencing Mark 7:18-21 in the Bible, Damina argued that it’s not what a person eats or drinks that makes them a sinner.
He said, “Adam and Eve ate nothing. Adam and Eve didn’t eat anything. Were you there? You were not there.
“So how do we know whether they ate something or not? Jesus was there. Was Jesus there in the Garden of Eden? Yes. Can Jesus explain to us what happened? Yes.
“Do you not know that they would not be sinners if Adam and Eve ate something? It is not what people eat that makes them sinners. It is not what you eat. You cannot be a sinner by eating or drinking something’’.
Damina further ruffled many feathers when he stated that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are not sins.
“I’ve told you alcohol is not a sin. I’ve told you cigars are not a sin. If you like, put it on the newspaper headline, I said it. Am I saying you should smoke?
“You should have a sense from your father’s house to know that a cigar will cut short your life. Am I saying you should drink alcohol? You should know that if you drink alcohol, you will lie down inside a gutter. Your shirt and trousers will disappear.
‘‘You should have the sense to know that. There’s nothing a man eats that enters his heart. It’ll go to the digestive system and go out somehow.
“What comes out of a man defiles a man, not what goes in. What makes you a sinner is what you think, not what you eat. It’ll go to their stomach if they (Adam and Eve) eat. It’ll digest and go to the toilet. They’ll be free’’.
Damina, a popular televangelist, has courted recent controversies over his unconventional beliefs and sermons.
In October, a Christian group, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs, berated him for allegedly preaching gospel messages with an “alarming rate of theological errors and heresies.”
In an open letter, the group said Damina’s messages constitute “hate speech and cybercrime against the Christian faith.”
The highlighted controversial sermons, allegedly preached by Damina, are issues the organisation has included: “There is no heaven,” “You don’t need God to succeed,” “Jesus is not coming back,” and “Heaven is a scam.”
The group said that most topics are mere “fallacies and heresies,” with unsound arguments, targeted at attracting an audience to Damina through “content creating hype rather than being correct and spiritual.”
Irrespective of the criticism, Damina, in August said that he played a pivotal role in ordaining and mentoring the popular Dunamis Church’s founder Pastor Paul Enenche.
However, Enenche has since firmly rejected the claims in his sermons.
Damina boasts a significant social media following and commands influence among the youth demography in Nigeria.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa speaking at the New Year gala in Abuja.
By Sarafina Christopher
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has pledged Nigeria’s partnership with China to create an environment conducive to the growth of arts and culture in the country.
Musawa made the announcement at a New Year gala night celebrating China-Nigeria friendship, hosted by the China Cultural Centre in Abuja on Saturday.
The event underscored the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and China, focusing on mutual interests in cultural collaboration and economic development.
Musawa reflected on the historical ties between China and Nigeria, which date back to 1971, and commended China’s remarkable strides in developing its creative industry.
She emphasised the immense value that the cultural and creative sectors hold for Nigeria, suggesting that collaboration with China would provide a nurturing environment for artists and cultural practitioners to thrive.
“When President Bola Tinubu took office, he sought to diversify Nigeria’s growth away from oil, petroleum, and gas.
“The creative industry plays a crucial role in achieving this vision,” she said.
Musawa also highlighted ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive roadmap for monetising Nigeria’s cultural heritage and creative industries.
She stressed the importance of sharing resources and expertise, noting that this collaboration could not only strengthen Nigeria’s local economy but also present its rich cultural heritage to a global audience.
Mr Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, also expressed China’s willingness to support the development of Nigeria’s creative economy, tourism, and vocational education.
“We will organise a series of vibrant exchange activities in the fields of culture, tourism, and education to strengthen the bond between China and Nigeria.
“Our actions will demonstrate our respect for the rights of the African and Nigerian people to pursue a better life,” he said.
Yang further announced that 2025 would mark the first year of the “Beijing Action Plan,” proposed at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The China Cultural Centre plans to host a range of activities in line with the plan, promoting culture, tourism, and education.
In addition, Mr Nsikan Paul, Executive Director of Drum Majors For Peace, emphasised their commitment to empowering creatives across Nigeria by providing training that helped them leverage their creativity for positive impact. (NAN)
Standing in the middle: Dr Tony Elumelu, ECOWAS Director, Private Sector, speaking at the event in Abuja.
By Mark Longyen
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has solicited the collaborative efforts of stakeholders in the tourism sector with a view to bolster the sector for economic growth.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse, made this known at a four-day workshop in Abuja aimed at strengthening subregional cooperation and networking opportunities to boost tourism in West Africa.
The event also aims to improve capacity building and the operationalization of the intraregional tourism within the region.
Toure-Litse, who was represented by the ECOWAS Director of Private Sector, Dr Tony Elumelu, emphasised that the workshop also aimed to foster a harmonized regulatory framework to propel tourism to new heights.
According to her, it will also build a sustainable foundation for growth and unparalleled regional collaboration.
The commissioner noted that by integrating tourism into the African Continental Free Trade Authority (AfCFTA’s) trade-in services agenda, ECOWAS envisioned a future where West Africa would proudly stand as a premier tourism destination.
She further said that this would go a long way to promote regional integration, foster innovation and drive economic resilience across the bloc’s member states.
Toure-Litse said the meeting sought to achieve the aforementioned outcomes, improve compliance with tourism regulations and policies, enhanced regional tourism cooperation and capacity building to implement the ECOTOUR 19-29.
She also noted that the event was a landmark effort toward elevating the tourism sector and build the capacity of tourism officials and regulators.
The commissioner added that this would enable them to identify and work with the visions and strategies that promote ECOWAS intra-regional tourism, as well as the holistic understanding of policies, standards and instruments that shape tourism.
Queen Dami, widow of the late Alaafin of Oyo and estranged partner of Nigerian musician Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, has made severe allegations against him in a public declaration.
The development comes after Portable confronted her, accusing her of killing the Alaafin of Oyo and sleeping with other men while the traditional ruler was alive.
Their quarrel began after Portable expressed displeasure at Dami for participating in a late-night TikTok session.
In her allegations, she accused the artist of physical abuse, emotional manipulation, and public humiliation during their relationship.
Dami responded to Portable’s assertion that she did not conceive a child for him, querying why she would choose to do so considering his history with other baby mamas.
She criticized the insufficient living circumstances he offered and compared her situation to those of other women involved with him, pointing out differences in treatment.
The former queen reportedly claimed that Portable threatened to use her for rituals, attacked her repeatedly to the point of causing wounds, and embarrassed her publically during a live video session marketing her products.
She also revealed a particularly frightening event in which she lost consciousness due to his brutality, prompting her to lie to her mother about her situation.
Dami denied Portable’s accusation of misconduct with the late Alaafin of Oyo, stating that she had left the palace before his death.
“Useless man you said I didn’t get pregnant for you. Who will get pregnant for a man with a lot of baby mamas? Which house did you rent for me?
“Is that what your mates rent for their wives? You were the one that came to my dm to ask me out. You said you would use me for rituals. You b€at me every time. I was advertising my products on the live video when you came to embarrass me. Why are you calling me your wife?
Have you paid my dowry? I have scars of your be*ting all over my body. I have no car yet your wife drives nice cars everywhere. All the useless women that had kids for you will soon come to their senses.
“One day you b€at me and I passed out. I had to lie to my mother that day. Why will I get pregnant for you when I am not mad. I didn’t kill the Alaafin. I had left the palace before he passed away.
“Portable your glory will come down from today. No man has slept with me since I started my relationship with you. God will judge between us.”
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAIPKC) have trained military personnel from Nigeria and some West African countries on detection of causes of insurrection and protection of civilians during conflict.
The training, organised by the MLAIPKC and the UNDP with support from the Japanese government, is design to also help the personnel in examining the concept of strategic thinking and emotional intelligence to detect the causes of disunity, disintegration, and insurrection in society.
At the inauguration of the Leadership and National Cohesion Course 2/2024 in Abuja, MLAIPKC Commandant, Major General Ademola Adedoja, explained that the course will provide officers with a comprehensive understanding of the concept and qualities of a good leader.
Adedoja added that the course will also expose participants to the need for mentoring, as well as the roles of leaders in harnessing Nigeria’s diverse cultures to ensure national cohesion.
“Furthermore, the course will x-ray the concept of strategic thinking and emotional intelligence, causes of disunity, disintegration, and insurrection in societies, and finally looks at ways to rebuild the broken bonds and bridges among diverse groups for national cohesion.”
According to Adedoja, at the end of the course, participants will be empowered to effect positive changes and contribute meaningfully towards enhancing peace, security, and the safety of citizens in Nigeria and the African region.
UNDP’s Team Lead, Governance, Peace & Security, Matthew Alao, urged participants to approach the course with an open mind, a profound commitment to personal growth, and a clear vision of contributing to Nigeria’s peaceful and prosperous future.
Alao informed them that their diverse backgrounds are not just a demographic reality but a strategic asset in developing holistic, inclusive approaches to national development, adding that the impact of the project will manifest in the coming years.
Represented by Oluwatosin Richard, Project Analyst at the Governance, Peace, and Security Unit, Alao highlighted the importance of empowering individuals as a means of achieving sustainable development.
The team lead reiterated UNDP’s commitment to collaborating with partners to strengthen Nigerian leadership.
He emphasised that the completion of the course marked the emergence of new leaders equipped with the vision, skills, and commitment needed to drive meaningful change in Nigeria.
Alao noted that these leaders were prepared to listen, learn, adapt, and serve others to make a positive impact on the nation.
“The past week has been a transformative experience designed to challenge conventional leadership programmes.
“The graduates have gone through intensive modules that transcend traditional boundaries, addressing critical intersections of governance, peace, security, and national cohesion.
“This is not just an academic exercise; it is a practical pathway to unlocking our collective potential,” Alao stated.
In a similar vein, the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, who was represented by the Defence Attaché, Lt.-Col. Morita Tatsuya, commended the course as part of broader efforts to provide comprehensive insights into leadership challenges.
Kazuyoshi emphasised Japan’s ongoing support for African-led peace support operations and capacity-building initiatives across the continent.
“We recognise the crucial role of African-led peace support operations in maintaining peace and stability across the continent.
“In Nigeria, we have been actively supporting peacekeeping operation training in partnership with UNDP and various training centres for the past six years, including this esteemed institution,” Kazuyoshi said
Gov Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has approved the creation of Seyawa Chiefdom with the headquarters in Tafawa Balewa local government area of the state.
The governor stated this in Bauchi on Monday while addressing stakeholders from the area.
He said the decision was taken after a careful study of the reports of the committees set up to come up with detailed modalities of how the Chiefdom could be established.
This, he said, was parts of the efforts of his administration to find lasting solution to the lingering problems around the creation Seyawa Chiefdom, which has defiled efforts by successive administrations for over three decades.
Mohammed expressed sadness over the loss of innocent lives as a result of a series of ethno-religious violence that erupted in the Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro axis in the realisation of Seyawa Chiefdom.
“Upon the receipt of the committee’s reports, a white paper drafting committee was appointed to produce the government’s position on its various findings and recommendations.
“Another committee was appointed to go to three states, namely Plateau, Kaduna and Nasarawa, to study how their Chiefdoms were created. Their structures, mode of succession, among others.
“The decision of the government is as follows; a Chiefdom to be referred to as Seyawa Chiefdom shall be created out of the present Bauchi Emirate.
“The Seyawa Chiefdom shall be headed by a Chief to be designated as Gun Zaar.
“In the event of the stool of the Seyawa Chiefdom becoming vacant, appointment of the successive team shall be made from the two historical clans, namely, San Gami and San Gishi,” the governor said.
According to him, vacancy would only occur in the event of death, removal by government or resignation of the serving Chief of the Seyawa Chiefdom.
The Bulgarian Government has partnered theObafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, toward enhancing cultural ties with Nigeria through the teaching of Bulgaria’s folklore dances in the institution.
The Bulgarian Embassy in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, said over the past two years, a solid relationship had been built by Bulgaria and OAU to that effect.
It explained that the effortsresulted in the Bulgarian Government’s provision of financial grant for classes and the teaching of Bulgarian folklore dances at the University.
“This is a project that Bulgaria and the university have been working on for several months.
“Its initial framework was set up by the successful celebration of Bulgarian Day in May 2024 in Ile-Ife.
“During the few weeks of teaching, more than 25 students mostly fromOAU’s Faculty of Arts’ Departments of Dramatic Arts and Music were trained in Bulgarian folklore dances,” the statement said.
The embassy described the folklore dances as a specific dancing technique that is characteristic of Bulgaria and close to some Nigerian traditions and customs.
It said the grant, which was channeled through the embassy, was provided in the context of renewed enhanced bilateral cooperation between Bulgaria and Nigeria.
“It is aimed at developing cultural ties between the two countries with the most visible prospects in the creative industries development,” the statement added.
