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Pope Leo XIV jokes about Real Madrid support during flight to Spain
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Pope Leo XIV shared a lighthearted moment with journalists aboard his flight to Spain, humorously revealing his personal football preference. When asked if he supported Real Madrid or Barcelona, the Pope, smiling, stated, "That's easy: the Pope is for all teams, but Robert Prevost is for Real Madrid!" This comment, reported by Vatican News, elicited laughter from the more than 80 journalists accompanying him on his Apostolic Journey to Madrid, the first stop of a week-long visit to Spain. During the same informal interaction, Pope Leo XIV also addressed global issues, reiterating his call for dialogue in conflict situations, expressing concern over international crises, and emphasizing the need for peace efforts, particularly in Ukraine and Lebanon. He reaffirmed the Church’s closeness to those affected by conflict and instability. Additionally, the Pope spoke on the issue of abuse within the Church, highlighting the importance of continued attention to victims and ongoing efforts toward accountability and healing. Pope Leo XIV's visit to Spain is scheduled to include meetings with ecclesial communities, civil authorities, and the faithful in Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands.
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First Lady Oluremi Tinubu announced during her visit to the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Village in Abia State that she would wear an Akwete wrapper if her husband, President Bola Tinubu, is re-elected for a second term. She also committed a ₦2 billion donation to support the revitalization of the local weaving industry. Tinubu praised the cooperative's women for their dedication to preserving the craft across generations and encouraged Nigerians to adopt Igbo traditional attire made from Akwete fabric to support local weavers. She noted her informal approach to the visit, opting for a personal engagement over a formal event, and expressed gratitude to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, recalling her previous inquiries about the weaving tradition with his wife. The First Lady urged Nigerians to patronize locally produced textiles to safeguard indigenous craftsmanship and enhance the livelihoods of rural weavers.
Must ReadThe Nigerian House of Representatives has received the report from its Special Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review regarding a proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police services. Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Benjamin Kalu, presented the report, which will now proceed to debate and clause-by-clause consideration. This move follows harmonisation with the Senate's version of the legislation and aims to provide a legal framework for state-controlled police. The proposal is a significant constitutional amendment, with supporters arguing it will improve intelligence gathering and community policing, while critics raise concerns about potential abuse by state governments. Additionally, the House adopted the report of its Committee on Police Affairs, approving the Nigeria Police Trust Fund's budget estimates for 2025 and 2026. For 2025, ₦170.11 billion was approved, including ₦132.45 billion for capital projects for the Nigeria Police Force. The 2026 budget was approved at ₦233.96 billion, with ₦179.11 billion allocated for capital projects for the Nigeria Police Force headquarters. These budgets, which are expected to proceed to a third reading, aim to provide additional financing for the training, equipment, logistics, and welfare of the Nigeria Police Force, complementing annual budgetary allocations.
Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the full sponsorship of 16 lecturers from the College of Medical Sciences at Yobe State University for postgraduate studies in India. This initiative aims to strengthen the college, secure full accreditation for its medical programs, and address manpower shortages. The lecturers will pursue master's degrees, with potential for PhD studies, in fields such as Human Anatomy, Physiology, Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Biochemistry, and Medical Microbiology. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Bashir Tahir, stated that this will help the university achieve and maintain full medical accreditation and position its College of Medical Sciences as a center of excellence. The first group of sponsored lecturers has already departed for India, accompanied by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Muhammad Bello Kawuwa, the Vice-Chancellor, and the Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Professor Garba Mohammed Ashiru. Officials from Yobe State University also visited Integral University, Lucknow, to discuss broader academic collaborations in areas like agriculture, engineering, and technological development, through staff and student exchange programs, joint research, and curriculum development.