In a major breakthrough, the UT police crime branch has dismantled an international drug syndicate operating in the Tricity, arresting three foreign nationals in a high-stakes operation.
The accused were caught red-handed while attempting to smuggle narcotics into the city.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Imoru Damian (31) and Okoye Nnamdi (31), both Nigerian nationals, and Toufe Yousouf (30) from Cape Town, South Africa. Police recovered significant quantities of cocaine and amphetamine, along with a Honda City car used in the operation.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecasted rainy and thundery weather conditions across the country from Monday to Wednesday, warning of possible flash floods in some areas.

The Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) administered by PENCOM in Nigeria has proven to be a significant failure, leaving many retirees in financial distress after decades of dedicated service. Unlike the previous Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS), where retirees received a guaranteed percentage of their final salary (minus transport allowance), the CPS subjects pensioners to market risks, bureaucratic delays, and meager payouts due to poor returns on contributions. Workers who spent their entire careers in public service now face inadequate pensions, hidden charges by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), and the constant fear of fund mismanagement. The system’s flaws are glaring—delayed payments, lack of transparency, and exclusion of non-contributors, particularly those in the informal sector, leaving millions of elderly Nigerians without any safety net.

Nigeria must urgently revert to the old pension system or implement a hybrid model that guarantees retirees a dignified livelihood. The government should also introduce a universal pension scheme for all citizens aged 60 and above, regardless of their employment history, as seen in other progressive nations. The current CPS is exploitative, unreliable, and unsustainable, forcing retirees into poverty instead of rewarding their lifetime of service. Immediate action is needed—through legislative reform, mass advocacy, and public pressure—to dismantle this unjust system and replace it with one that truly secures the future of Nigeria’s senior citizens. The time for change is now; Nigerian workers deserve a pension system that honors their labor, not one that abandons them to in old age.

British - Nigerian rapper popularly known as Skepta took to social X and posted the super falcon player Alozie, showing his excitement for advancing to the finals after a win against HIV that ended 2-1 in favor of Nigeria

9ja to the world

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Condemns Bill Elevating Ooni of Ife, Sultan of Sokoto

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has strongly condemned a bill before the Nigerian Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.

The group considers the bill a slap in the face, as it excludes apex traditional rulers from Igbo land and other ethnic nationalities. Ohanaeze Ndigbo views the move as asymmetric, discriminatory, and ethnocentric, lacking fairness, equity, justice, and federal character.

Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, the group's national publicity secretary, called for the bill's urgent withdrawal and review, considering ethnic differences, cultural sensitivity, geopolitical balance, inclusive governance, and equitable representation.

Chukwu emphasized that the bill's passage would undermine national unity, peaceful coexistence, and social stability.

Meanwhile, social media influencer and politician Nwobo Chika Nwoba stated that only three kingdoms exist in the Southeast Igbo region: Onitsha, Arochukwu, and Nri. He argued that no kingdoms exist in Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States, and that autonomous communities cannot be considered kingdoms.

Monday July 28, 2025

Weekday (17)

Office: Psalter week 1

Mass and preface of the day

Vestment: Green

Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mystery

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Cf. Ps 67: 6-7, 36

God is in his holy place, God who unites those who dwell in his house; he himself gives might and strength to his people.

COLLECT

O God, protector of those who hope in you, without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy, bestow in abundance your mercy upon us and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ…….

-FIRST READING-

This people have sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves gods of gold.

A reading from the Book of Exodus (Exodus 32:15-24. 30-34)

In those days: Moses turned, and went down from the mountain with the two tables of the covenant in his hands, tables that were written on both sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables. When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “there is a noise of war in the camp.” But he said, “it is not the sound of shouting for victory, or the sound of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing that I hear.” And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses’ anger burnt hot and he threw the tables out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it upon the water, and made the sons of Israel drink it. And Moses said to Aaron, “what did this people do to you that you have brought a great sin upon them?” and Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot; you know the people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, ‘make us gods, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And I said to them, ‘let any who have gold take off; so they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and there came out calf.” The next day Moses said to the people, “you have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Alas, this people have sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will forgive their sin-and if not, blot me, I beg you, out of your book which you have written.” But the Lord said to Moses, “whoever has sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. But now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you; behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps106:19-20.21-22.23 (R1b)

R/. O give thanks to the Lord for he is good.

Or. Alleluia.

They fashioned a calf at Horeb,
And worshipped an image of metal,
They exchange their glory
For the image of a bull that eats grass. R/.

They forgot the God who was their saviour,
Who had done such great things in Egypt,
Such wonders in the land of Ham,
Such marvels at the Red Sea. R/.

For this he said he would destroy them,
But Moses, the man he had chosen,
Stood in the breach before him,
To turn back his anger from destruction. R/.

ALLELUIA James 1:18

Alleluia. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth that we should be kind of first fruits of his. Alleluia.

-GOSPEL

A grain of mustard seed becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air make nests in its branches.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 13:31-35)

At that time: Another parable Jesus put before the crowds, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.” All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY'S REFLECTION

Faith is a gift that God bestows on human to enable us to understand in depth the ordinary events of life and the divine messages they carry. However, faith in the face of a great loss is almost superhuman. Martha has just lost a brother. Just like everyone else around her, she is grieving. But she believes that all powers have been given to Christ by God and whatever he says comes to pass. That faith sees her brother brought back to life. The toll that an unfortunate situation takes on us is determined largely by our faith in God. Faith in God turns unimaginable things to imaginable ones.

PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL

‘Protect me, O God; I trust in you for safety. I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; all the good things I have come from you.” Psalm 16:1, 2

Lord, God of love remember all whose businesses are facing challenges. Intervene and grant new life to them.

Lord, I praise you as my perpetual benefactor and I call upon you as my merciful defender. Grant me total peace and joy.

Let Us Pray,

O Lord, I am weak and broken, surrounded on all sides by corruption and perversion. Lord have mercy on me: protect me from my enemies who devour me, and guide me in the way of perfection. No matter what happens to me, whether it be an attack or a seduction, may my love for you protect me from falling into sin. May I live a holy life no matter what others do around me – Amen.

Appreciation
God Bless you
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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.

In only 4 years in power (1983-87), Thomas Sankara

Built 350 schools, roads, railways without foreign aid

Increased literacy rate by 60%

Banned forced marriages

Gave poor people land

Vaccinated 2.5 million kids

Planted 10 million trees

Appointed females to high governmental positions, encouraged them to work, recruited them into the military, and granted pregnancy leave

Sold off the government fleet of Mercedes cars and made the Renault 5 (the cheapest car sold in Burkina Faso at that time) the official service car of the ministers.

He reduced the salaries of all public servants, including his own, and forbade the use of government chauffeurs and 1st class airline tickets.

As President, he lowered his salary to $450 a month and limited his possessions to a car, four bikes, three guitars, a fridge and a broken freezer.

He opposed foreign aid, saying that “he who feeds you, controls you.”

Drove out French imperialism & withdrew Burkina Faso from IMF.

What about Giant Of Africa?
Sankara's legacy shames Africa's corrupt ruling class. His axiom-"He who feeds you, controls you" —exposes Nigeria's folly: a "giant of Africa" begging for foreign aid while its leaders stash billions abroad. If four years could birth such progress in impoverished Burkina Faso, why has 63 years of oil wealth left Nigeria in ruins? The answer is a vampire elite allergic to sacrifice. Until Nigeria produces leaders-not looters-who emulate Sankara's integrity and people-first governance, our descent into chaos will continue. As Sankara proved, real change needs courage, not empty slogans.

In only 4 years in power (1983-87), Thomas Sankara

Built 350 schools, roads, railways without foreign aid

Increased literacy rate by 60%

Banned forced marriages

Gave poor people land

Vaccinated 2.5 million kids

Planted 10 million trees

Appointed females to high governmental positions, encouraged them to work, recruited them into the military, and granted pregnancy leave

Sold off the government fleet of Mercedes cars and made the Renault 5 (the cheapest car sold in Burkina Faso at that time) the official service car of the ministers.

He reduced the salaries of all public servants, including his own, and forbade the use of government chauffeurs and 1st class airline tickets.

As President, he lowered his salary to $450 a month and limited his possessions to a car, four bikes, three guitars, a fridge and a broken freezer.

He opposed foreign aid, saying that “he who feeds you, controls you.”

Drove out French imperialism & withdrew Burkina Faso from IMF.

What about Giant Of Africa?
Sankara's legacy shames Africa's corrupt ruling class. His axiom-"He who feeds you, controls you" —exposes Nigeria's folly: a "giant of Africa" begging for foreign aid while its leaders stash billions abroad. If four years could birth such progress in impoverished Burkina Faso, why has 63 years of oil wealth left Nigeria in ruins? The answer is a vampire elite allergic to sacrifice. Until Nigeria produces leaders-not looters-who emulate Sankara's integrity and people-first governance, our descent into chaos will continue. As Sankara proved, real change needs courage, not empty slogans.

The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has asked President Bola Tinubu to include refined petroleum products in the list of items banned under the ‘Nigeria First’ policy of the Federal Government. But this was unanimously rejected by oil marketers and some industry analysts on Sunday.
The ’Nigeria First’ policy seeks to ban government agencies from importing goods that can be produced within Nigeria. In May, Tinubu barred government agencies from importing goods or services that are available locally.

— Asisat Oshoala

Once A Gooner Is Always A Gonner! ⚪️

Her Profile Below Isn’t Only Overwhelming but also Intimidating!
She has won virtually everything to be won in Football. She’s Arguably the most decorated Female Athlete & Footballer from Nigeria .

Her Names are Asisat Lamina Oshoala. She’s a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for National Women's Soccer League club Bay FC and the Super Falcons Nigeria national team.

There are some uncomfortable discussions I am willing to have when this woman finally retires.

We all grew up wanting to ball like some African idols like Eto, Drogba, Jay Jay, Kanu, etc. I tell you, almost every young African female footballer looks up to this lady right here.

Her achievements are so loud that she doesn't need to speak for herself. It speaks for her.

— 6x African Player of the Year (Record)
— 4x WAFCON champion (2nd most)
— 3x La Liga champion
— 3x Copa Del Reina champion
— 3x Spanish Super Copa champion
— 2x UCL champion
— 2x Chinese League champion
— 1x English FA Cup champion
— BBC World's Women Footballer of the Year (2015)
— African Women's Youth Player of the Year (2014)
— African Women's Championship Golden Ball (2014)
— African Women's Championship Golden Boot (2016)
— FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Golden Boot (2014)
— FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Golden Ball (2014)
— Primera División Top scorer (2021–22)
— Chinese Women's Super League Top scorer (2017)
— IFFHS CAF Best Woman Player of the Decade (2011–2020)
— IFFHS All-time Africa Women's Dream Team (2021)
— IFFHS CAF Women's Team of the Decade (2011–2020)
— IFFHS Women's CAF Best Player of the Year (2020 and 2021)
— IFFHS Women's CAF Team of the Year (2020, 2021, 2023)
— Queen of The Pitch Award (2014)

For a long time, she has already certified her spot as the greatest African female footballer of all time, but she is already to me, a Top 10 African footballer, dead or alive, male or female.

Keep It Up!