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Raid Killers’ Hideouts, Unravel Those Behind Owo Massacre – Senate Tells Security Agencies 

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The Senate has challenged Nigeria’s security agencies to unmask the perpetrators of the Owo church attack in Ondo State.

The Senate on Wednesday condemned the June 5 terrorists attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State which left about 40 persons dead and many others hospitalised.

According to the Senate, the security agencies should be discreet in collaborating on intelligence gathering and sharing to prevent future attacks by terrorists.

Lawmakers, who observed a one-minute silence in memory of the victims, asked security agencies to intensify efforts to investigate the matter with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.

They also urged the agencies to deploy drones and helicopters to monitor forests and ungoverned areas in Nigeria, to identify illegal camps of bandits throughout the country.

These formed part of resolutions reached sequel to the consideration of a motion titled “Killing of worshippers in Owo, Ondo State” sponsored by the lawmaker representing Ondo North, Senator Ajayi Boroffice.

The senator, while noting the killings of Nigerians across different parts of the country, warned that “such a massacre could be a trigger to inter-religious conflicts and ethnic war in Nigeria.”

Contributing, the Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker representing Ondo South, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo said, “Our internal security is still very defective.”

On his part, the PDP senator representing Plateau North, Istifanus Gyang urged religious leaders in the country to desist from inciting their followers through religious messages preached in places of worship, adding that doing otherwise poses a significant security threat to the country.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan said, “One thing that is so imperative is for security agencies to continue to protect our citizens, and where we encounter breaches, the perpetrators must be fished out and then the law takes its full course.”

Traditional rites

The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, has denied restriction of human and vehicular movements during the traditional activities that would come up on Thursday, as being reported in the media.

It was reported in some online media that there would be no movements during the time the traditional rite would be done in the community but the monarch said the report was untrue.

It was gathered that the traditional activity that would be coming up on Thursday, was part of the efforts to prevent any further attack on the community

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the monarch, Mr Sam Adewale on Wednesday, the monarch said people would be allowed to move during the exercise.

Meanwhile, the Olijebu Owo of Ijebu-Owo, Oba Kofoworola Ojomo, has expressed his displeasure over the ugly development when some Owo indigenes, under the auspices of the Krown Club, led by Mr Yanju Alabi paid him a visit on Wednesday.

He urged the Federal Government to allow creation of state police for more effective and efficient security system at the local level.

The monarch said, “We have less than 300 policemen to police activities here in Owo. The security of our people does not mean anything to the present administration. We are just waiting for the administration to end without any solution insight.”

The members of the club also visited the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye.

“We are already taking steps to ensure that such won’t repeat itself in the town,” Olowo stated.

Speaking at the palace on behalf of the club, Mr Ademola Oshodi said, “We also commend the South-West governors for the actions they have outlined to make the region more secure. It is important at this juncture for the Federal Government to reconsider its opposition to State Police. The state government must also reinforce, reinvigorate and enlarge Amotekun for it to be able to provide adequate security cover for not only Owo but Ondo State as a whole.”

Earlier, members of the Krown Club visited the church where they donated N500,000 to the victims of the attack.

Similarly, the Catholic Bishop of Diocese of Ondo, Jude Arogundade, while expressing gratitude to the club for their support to the victims and church, revealed that some decisions will be taken, adding that many issues will be tackled head-long over the incident.

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State have signed a pact to continue living in harmony amidst insecurity in the country, as a delegation of the league of Imams and Alfas on Wednesday submitted a condolence letter over the attack on Christians in Owo to the Ogun CAN Chairman, Bishop Tunde Akin-Akinsanya.

Leading the Islamic leaders to the CAN chairman’s Abeokuta office, the Secretary-General, Sheikh Tajudeen Adewunmi described the Owo attack as unfortunate.

Responding, Akin-Akinsanya lauded the league for the gesture and said the Christians do not mistake Muslims for the attackers of Owo church.

 

 

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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