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A year ago, an explosion rocked Bodija Estate in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, claiming at least five lives. The blast, which occurred on Aderinola Street, Adeyi Avenue, left over 50 houses and several vehicles severely damaged. The state governor, Seyi Makinde, said the explosion was caused by illegal miners who stored explosive devices in
Retired Archbishop of Nnewi Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev Godwin Okpala, who just regained his freedom after he was kidnapped on December 6, 2024, has recounted his ordeal in the hands of his abductors. Okpala was abducted alongside his driver, but was only able to regain freedom on January 3rd, after spending 27
I was fed remnants of food eaten by kidnappers – Abducted Archbishop recounts ordeal
Retired Archbishop of Nnewi Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev Godwin Okpala, who just regained his freedom after he was kidnapped on December 6, 2024, has recounted his ordeal in the hands of his abductors.
Okpala was abducted alongside his driver, but was only able to regain freedom on January 3rd, after spending 27 days in captivity.
The clergyman spoke to journalists at his residence in Nnewi, during a visit by former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi.
He said: “Those 27 days were hellish because the people were not behaving like human beings. They kicked us about like thrash.
“They kept us in a very thick forest and none of them cared,” the Archbishop said.
Reacting to questions on whether his abduction was as a result of mistaken identity, and whether he was in his priestly attire, the retired prelate said it didn’t matter to the kidnappers who anyone was.
He said: “I was in my cassock and they knew that I was a Bishop, but they didn’t care. They pulled down my cassock, asked me to undress and I had only shorts, a shirt and my collar on.
“For the 27 days that I was with them, I didn’t take my bath, I didn’t brush my teeth. They were giving me water which I don’t know the source.
“They were giving me one meal a day and it was either rice or garri. The food was usually remnants from those they gave to boys who worked with them. They have cooks who prepared food there.”
The 75 years old Archbishop praised Peter Obi for coming to visit him, saying that since his return from the kidnappers’ den, no one had visited him until Obi came.
“He (Peter Obi) has again shown the humanity in him. I’m not the first person he is coming to see in this manner. I want to say thank you to Peter Obi who came to visit me after my travails.”
Meanwhile, Nnewi Catholic Diocese on Thursday buried three priests of the diocese, including Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, a pharmacist and native of Ekwulumili in Nnewi South Local Government Area.
The priest was murdered on December 26, 2024, in Ihiala, Anambra State, by gunmen operating in the area.
Until his death, the priest was the manager of the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala.
Anambra has for sometime now been in the news because of the spate of kidnapping, which has not abated despite promises by the governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and police authorities in the state.
I was fed remnants of food eaten by kidnappers – Abducted Archbishop recounts ordeal
The Ebonyi State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, has declared an indefinite strike in seven local government areas in the state. The strike action, according to the union, is due to non payment of three months salaries to some teachers in the affected local government area. A statement issued on Thursday by
Ebonyi: NUT declares indefinite strike in Seven LGAs over unpaid salaries
The Ebonyi State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, has declared an indefinite strike in seven local government areas in the state.
The strike action, according to the union, is due to non payment of three months salaries to some teachers in the affected local government area.
A statement issued on Thursday by the union’s secretary, Bassey Asuquo, listed the affected local government areas as Ebonyi, Edda, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ivo, Ishielu and Ohaukwu.
The statement reads, “Sequel to our earlier notice on mobilization for industrial strike action, we have thoroughly reviewed the compliance of local government chairmen regarding the clearance of our members’ salaries.
“As of the close of work today, February 5, 2025, we acknowledge that certain local government areas have cleared the salaries of our members.
“However, we regret to inform you that several local government chairmen have failed to clear the backlog of our members’ outstanding salaries.
“In response to this non-compliance, we hereby declare indefinite strike action in the following Local Government Areas: Edda, Ebonyi, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ishielu, Ivo and Ohaukwu.
“All our state and branch officers in the affected local government areas are instructed to adhere strictly to this directive and ensure the immediate enforcement of the strike action from 12:00am on Thursday 6th February, 2025.
“This includes organizing and maintaining solidarity picket lines and monitoring the Compliance of the strike action across the affected localities”, the statement said.
The Union noted that failure of the local government chairmen to meet their obligations to its members is unacceptable and vowed not relent until its demands are met.
“We call on all members to remain steadfast and continue their support for the strike action.”
Ebonyi: NUT declares indefinite strike in Seven LGAs over unpaid salaries
Nigeria has solidified its position as a leading source of international students in the United States, ranking seventh globally and first in Africa, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange. The US Embassy disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. For the 2023/2024 academic year, 20,029 Nigerian students enrolled in US
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Nigeria has solidified its position as a leading source of international students in the United States, ranking seventh globally and first in Africa, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange. The US Embassy disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. For the 2023/2024 academic year, 20,029 Nigerian students enrolled in US
