Today's headlines

1 Four PDP Senators defect to APC

2⃣APC moves NEC meeting to presidential villa

3⃣Wike wasn’t fairly treated by the PDP - Datti Baba-Ahmed

4⃣Tinubu seeks extra $47m for Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, $300m for telecom projects

5⃣Refined products expensive to load from Dangote than Lomé – Dangote

Good morning. Let's talk about Atiku.

Started as a customs officer in Lagos and was there for 20 years. Retired as a deputy director in 1989.

Ventured into politics the same year.

Contested for Gongola State, lost.
Contested for the SDP presidential ticket, lost to Abiola.

Joined PDP, became running mate to Obasanjo. 8 years as vice president. 1999 to 2007.

Contested for the AC presidential ticket, lost to Yaradua in 2007.

He came back to PDP, contested for the PDP presidential ticket, and lost to Jonathan in 2011.

Obasanjo accused Atiku of distributing $5K per senator to remove Senate President Evan Enwerem.

During a Senate inquiry in 2007, senators found out that Atiku allegedly diverted $100M, including $90K cash stashed in his freezer at home.

Once chaired an Ecological Fund Office, alleged to have used SPVs to divert 100M.

In 2010, a United States Senate report accused Atiku of laundering over $40M between 2000 and 2008 using his wife, Jennifer Iwenjora, who was actually an NTA reporter.

claimed to have laundered $2M for him in 2020.

Allegedly had his wife laundering $2 trillion through their Dubai office.

These are your leaders.

Friday June 27, 2025

Sacred Heart of Jesus (Solemnity)

Office: Prop., Te Deum

Mass Proper; Gloria. Creed.

Preface of Sacred Heart

Vestment: White

Today’s Rosary: Sorrowful Mystery

Vespers II of the Most Sacred Heart

World day of prayer for the sanctification of priests.

-FIRST READING-

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 34:11—16)

“I will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down.”

“Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the fountains, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on fat pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will watch over; I will feed them in justice.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 23:1-3a.3b-4.5.6 (R. 1)

R/. The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me;
he revives my soul. R/.

He guides me along the right path,
for the sake of his name.
Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death,
no evil would I fear, for you are with me.
Your crook and your staff will give me comfort. R/.

R/. The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

You have prepared a table before me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing. R/.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for length of days unending. R/.

-SECOND READING-

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (Romans 5:5b- 11)

“God shows his love for us.

Brethren: God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. While we were yet helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man — though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received our reconciliation.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA Matthew 11:29ab

Alleluia. Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart. Alleluia.

Or the following: John 10:14

Alleluia. I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own, and my own know me. Alleluia.

-GOSPEL-

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 15:3-7)

Share my joy. I have found my lost sheep.

At that time: Jesus told the Pharisees and the scribes this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. ’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Celebrant:

Gathered as one body of Christ on this solemnity of the sacred heart of Jesus, let us pray that our hearts may be filled with a sincere love for God and one another.

FOR THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH: That they, aware of their missionary identity, may strive to follow Christ faithfully and to proclaim his gospel to all peoples. Let us pray to the lord.

FOR CIVIL LEADERS: that they may strive towards building a nation in which the freedom of each person to worship according to the dictates of his or her conscience is guaranteed. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST FAITH CHRIST: that they, like the lost sheep, may be redirected to the heart of Jesus, where they will dwell forever. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR OUR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: that we may hunger and thirst for Jesus in the most holy Eucharist and be fed and nourished by him. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).

FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. We pray O Lord.

We pray in silence for our private intentions.

Celebrant:

God our Father, you are king and most high over all the earth. Graciously hear the prayers we offer to you and grant that we may always enjoy the inexhaustible graces that flow from the sacred heart of Jesus. Through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.


TODAY’S REFLECTION

In today’s Gospel, the good shepherd goes in search of the lost sheep, and, after finding it, rejoices with his neighbours. Through this parable, Jesus reveals his compassionate love towards those who go astray.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is also a symbol of God’s tender love, compassion and mercy. Although we claim to have faith in the Sacred Heart, we sometimes hold the mistaken belief that God is like a policeman, watching our every move and punishing us when we fail.

Our devotion to the sacred Heart of Jesus should lead us rather to trust more in the love and forgiveness of God, who desires our salvation and well- being. As disciples of Christ, we should also make an effort to become more compassionate and forgiving towards those who go astray.

PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL

“But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received.” Isaiah 53:5

- Pray for God to give you the grace to accept the reality of persecution in Christian faith.

- Father, destroy every spirit of fear in my life.

- O Lord Jesus, banish every ignorance and sentiments within me that makes me to get discouraged when persecution comes.

Dear Lord, do not let me be separated from you because of hardship, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger or death. Help me to remain faithful to you. (Pray seriously).

Let Us Pray,

O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness, and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us to have perfect trust in your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to you, we shall see your hand, your purpose, your will through all things.

Appreciation
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PRAYER FOR NIGERIA IN DISTRESS

All powerful and merciful Father,
You are the God of justice, love and peace.
You rule over the nations of the earth.
Power and might are in your hands and no one can withstand you.
We present our country Nigeria before you.
We praise and thank you for you are the source of all we have and are.
We are sorry for all the sins we have committed
and for the good deeds we have failed to do.
In your loving forgiveness,
keep us safe from the punishment we deserve.
Lord, we are weighed down not only by uncertainties,
but also by moral, economic and political problems.
Listen to the cries of your people who confidently turn to you,
Our God of infinite goodness,
our strength in adversity,
our health in weakness,
our comfort in sorrow;
be merciful to us your people.
Spare this nation Nigeria from chaos, anarchy and doom.
Bless us with your kingdom of justice, love and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

*SOME NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER HEADLINES+, 23/07/2025*

Tax evasion, profit shifting cost Nigeria $18bn yearly – Minister

Nasarawa court jails man 21 years for defiling three-month-old baby

Ahead Proposed Strike: FG, Doctors Meet Today

Natasha heads to court after Senate blockade, faults Akpabio

Super Falcons beat South Africa, qualify for WAFCON final

Lokpobiri: Crude oil production hits 1.8mb/d

CBN Retains Interest Rates At 27.5%

Dangote in Aso Rock Villa to meet Tinubu

Naira depreciates to N1,555/$ in parallel market

Israeli protest in Tel Aviv over Gaza food shortages

US emerges top supplier of crude to Nigeria — Report

3.5m children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Nigeria, says UNICEF

---------------------------
*DID YOU KNOW?*

* Pistanthrophobia is a common fear of trusting people due to past experiences with relationships gone bad such as betrayal, heartbreak, or significant disappointment.

* Walking uses a total of 200 muscles with every step you take.
---------------------------

Tinubu hails Kaduna’s peace model as Kaduna, Qatar donate houses to banditry victims

Tinubu holds briefing with finance, budget, gas ministers

Tinubu sets Q1 2026 deadline for National Single Window

Senate dismisses new states claim, holds Buhari tribute

Senate okays Tinubu’s $21bn foreign loans

FG set to clear N81bn N-Power backlog — Senate

Deputy Senate President, others back Anioma State creation

Speaker Abbas, Almakura seek collaboration against fake news, misinformation

Reps challenge US over cut in visa validity

Recover N103.8bn, $950,000 from MDAs, Reps urge EFCC, ICPC

Rep proposes bill compelling civil servants to use public schools, hospitals

Natasha: Some Of The Senators Against Me Should Be In Jail

Court to rule Oct. 16 on alleged terrorist negotiator Tukur Mamu’s third bail bid

Five arraigned for illegal waste dumping in Lagos

17 suspected Nasarawa Internet fraudsters to face trial

Court adjourns defamation suit filed by Maharaj Ji to Oct 20

Lagos Court declares Awoga as Orijeru of Igbooye

Military conducts aerial, land patrols to protect farmers

Boko Haram frees Catholic priest, 10 others in Borno

NDLEA operative shot dead during raid in Ondo

Envoys absence not a vacuum, FG counters ADC

RMAFC gets nod for N105.14bn 2025 appropriation from Reps Finance Committee

Direct transfers to LGAs delayed by structural issues – Edun

FG eyes one million hectares, 460,000 tonnes of soybeans in two years

NCAA threatens to sanction foreign airlines for not declaring sums above $10,000

NNPC poised to transform Africa into refining hub – Ojulari

PTDF screens 151 S’East candidates for overseas scheme

I never received ₦4bn monthly from NDDC, Amaechi’s wife replies Wike

UNIEC calls for Kanu’s release, Igbo leaders beg Tinubu

S-East residents lament soaring house rent, say ‘it is choking’

Tinubu, problem solver on national security — Jega

Remove my name from watch-listed persons, Igboho begs Fed Govt

SEC targets $500bn from dormant commodities, minerals

Debt-to-GDP ratio drops to 39.4% after GDP rebasing

Dormant Ajaokuta Steel Company owes N5.6bn electricity debt

Dangote exports 1.3bn litres petrol as marketers buy foreign fuel

Atiku warns as Okpebholo, Wike insist on Obi’s visit clearance

Nigerians Can’t Eat GDP, ADC Tells FG

2027: PDP kicks off 101st NEC meeting today

Another Osun Fed lawmaker dumps Adeleke, PDP

ADC boils over Tinubu endorsement by Adeleke, Oyinlola

Radda resumes duties after auto crash

Wike commissions revived Edo line, lauds Okpebholo’s leadership

Abiodun constitutes pension funds management committees

Report on state creation mischievous, says Otti

Gombe borrowed N1.3bn monthly between 2013, 2019 to pay workers’ salaries – Gov

Pension row: Ogun workers suspend strike after interventions

Yobe reopens markets, maps cattle routes as security improves

Abia partners shoe maker to raise output

Royal family seeks Sanwo-Olu’s intervention over installation of new Onikoyi

Teenager arrested for suspected killing of Jigawa youth

Young man killed while joining cult in Lagos

Driver drowns during beach trip with Indians in Lagos

Man rescued from 80-foot well in Lagos

---------------------------

*TODAY IN HISTORY*

* On this day in 2005, a Lufthansa aircraft from Frankfurt crash-landed at Lagos airport and was badly damaged, but no life was lost.

* On this day in 1992, Abkhazia declared independence from Georgia. The Republic of Abkhazia, is a disputed territory of Georgia and is recognized as an independent state by only a handful of counties including Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru, Tuvalu.

---------------------------

Intense love does not measure, it just gives. – Mother T

*Compiled by Hon. Osuji George osujis@yahoo.com +234-8122200446*

Africa loses $90 billion annually to imported substandard fuel. ⛽️

~ Aliko Dangote

Nkem Owoh and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Two icons. One rules the screen, the other rules the pen.

EXCL: Chelsea have now made official club to club contact with Ajax for Jorrel Hato as next top priority!

Hato, understood to be keen on the move and already prepared to accept personal terms at #CFC.

Negotiations ongoing with very good relationship between clubs.

Federal Civil Service Commission
Press Release

Online Recruitment Information Update

The Federal Civil Service Commission announces that the ongoing online recruitment update closes Wednesday July 30th, 2025.

The period offers candidates the opportunity to update their qualifications and send additional documents they were not able to attach previously.

The Commission assures candidates and members of the public that the recruitment which is for a limited number of positions is driven by meritocracy, transparency and the federal character principle that ensures that jobs are equitably distributed across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Signed
Taiwo Hassan
For: Honourable Chairman
22nd July, 2025.

We Are First in Everything—Super Falcons of Nigeria Have Earned Those Badges 🎖

1️⃣. First Team To Produce Top Scorer At WAFCON: Nkiru Okosieme (Golden Boot), 1998.

2️⃣. First Team To Produce WAFCON Player Of The Tournament: Perpetua Nkwocha.

3️⃣. Only Team To Successfully Defend The WAFCON Title: 19982000

4️⃣. Only Team To Reach Semi-Finals In All Previous 12 WAFCON Editions

5️⃣. Most Hat-Tricks Scored In WAFCON History:
Perpetua Nkwocha—4️⃣ (2004, 2006, and twice in 2010)
Asisat Oshoala—2️⃣ (2016 and 2018).

6️⃣. Only Team Never To Lose A WAFCON Final

7️⃣. First Team To Win WAFCON Without Conceding A Goal: 1998—Nigeria scored 28 goals in five matches, conceding NONE:
8-0 vs Morocco
6-0 vs DR Congo
6-0 vs Egypt
6-0 vs Cameroon (semi-final)
2-0 vs Ghana (final)

The Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, was at the Aso Rock Villa on Tuesday evening to see President Bola Tinubu.

Dangote, who arrived just minutes before 07:00pm, departed about 30 minutes later without briefing the press.

It would be their first face-to-face meeting at the Villa since the president toured the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery in Lagos on June 5.

No agenda was revealed, but the encounter follows a string of blunt comments from Africa’s richest man about the nation’s downstream sector and his plan to upend fuel distribution.

On July 11, Dangote told visiting executives that the state-owned plants in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna were beyond rescue despite roughly $18bn in rehabilitation spending.

Barcelona boat caught fire on a high see which the course is not know yet investigation is ongoing