Text:1 Kings 8:12-21

8:12   Then Solomon spoke: “The Lord said He would dwell in the dark cloud.

8:13  I have surely built You an exalted house, And a place for You to dwell in forever.”

8:14 Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing.

8:15 And he said: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David, and with His hand has fulfilled it, saying, 

8:16  Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.’

8:17     Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a ^[a]temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 

8:18 But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.

8:19 Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.’

8:20  So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke; and I have ^[b]filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised; and I have built a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel

8:21 And there I have made a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord which He made with our fathers, when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.”

STUDY:

From our passage, Solomon states clearly that God did not choose any city for the Israelites to build Him a house but chose David to be over His people. The selection of David shows that God knew who He wanted to lead His people and He went for him. “And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he” (1 Sam. 16:12). This signifies how dear David was to God’s heart, as God’s election supersedes everything! Little wonder, he was described as a man after God’s heart.

In our world today, people insist on leading people, even when they neither have the support of the people, nor that of God. When this happens, it is either unpopular persons are forced on others or such unpopular persons come to power by force. We should be careful not to allow our quest for power and position get us to such a level of madness. Even in the Church, God chooses whom He wants and sets him over His people, and His choice should always be respected by all and sundry as He does not in any way make mistakes.

Prayer: 

Eternal Father, I pray that you look with pity on me and mark me and my family for excellence.

Watch Today’s Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional:

Watch the devotion on ACNNTV YouTube Channel

Partner with ACNNTV

Help us reach the world with the undiluted Word of God. Make Donations through our website or via the details below:

Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion ACNN Account

Account Number: 1016868363 (Zenith Bank)

Thank you for joining the Kingdom Partners today

Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, disclosed this in a post on X on Tuesday, thanking the Ghana Air Force and the Ministry of Defence for facilitating their return to Nigeria.

The operation, codenamed Operation Cyber hunt, was led by Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority in collaboration with intelligence and security agencies in Ghana, Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States.

George said the operation led to the rescue of the 120 Nigerians, who were allegedly trafficked to Ghana and compelled to participate in cybercrime activities.

He wrote, “My sincere gratitude goes to the #ghana_airforce and the #modghana for facilitating the repatriation of 120 Nigerian nationals who were arrested during #OperationCyberhunt.

“This sting operation, led by the #CSAGhana in conjunction with other intelligence and security agencies locally and in the UK, Nigeria and the US, led to the rescue of the 120 persons who had been trafficked to Ghana and forced to work in these cybercrime setups.”

During the operation, security operatives seized 136 mobile phones, 130 laptops, internet connectivity devices and four vehicles, one of which was reportedly stolen from Canada.

Other items recovered included digital equipment, valuable jewellery and 10 Nigerian passports.

George added that eight other individuals were being processed for prosecution as investigations continued.

He said Ghana, under President John Dramani Mahama, would not allow the country to become a safe haven for cybercriminals.

“The team is processing 8 other persons for prosecution, and Ghana under President #JDMahama will remain an unfavorable destination for cyber criminals,” he said.

punch

The decision follows an investigative report by Premium Times questioning Kila’s academic qualifications.

In a statement, ARISE News said it contacted Kila on October 3, 2026, to seek his response to the allegations, but he requested more time to respond.

According to the network, Kila had yet to respond 10 days after being contacted, while the allegations had continued to grow.

“In the circumstances, we find that his contributions to The ARISE News Channel is no longer tenable,” the statement said.

The network said it was unaware of the allegations when Kila appeared on its platform as a freelance political analyst.

“ARISE News was unaware of these allegations at the time Anthony Kila appeared on our platform as we take matters of credibility and integrity extremely seriously,” it added.

The broadcaster said it had taken note of the findings of the Premium Times investigation and that Kila would no longer appear on its platforms, effective immediately.

“We have noted the findings of the Premium Times investigation and Mr Kila will not be appearing on our networks at anytime now or in future effective immediately,” the statement said.

The affected institutions are St Winifred Girls Secondary School, Ihugh; St Thomas Hospital, Ihugh; St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, Ihugh; and St Winifred Parish, Ihugh.

The directive also ordered the withdrawal of pastoral agents from the community.

Ihugh is the hometown of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, who was a Catholic priest under the Gboko Diocese before venturing into politics.

The letter conveying the directive was signed by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Most Rev William A. Avenya, and the diocesan chancellor, Rev Fr Marcellinus Wende. It was made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday.

Titled “On the Temporary Closure of Catholic Institutions and the Withdrawal of Pastoral Agents from Ihugh,” the letter said the decision followed repeated attacks on Catholic institutions in the community since 2024.

Parts of the letter read, “Over a considerable period, the Catholic institutions in Ihugh have suffered repeated disturbances, attacks and acts of destruction.

“Among these were the recent burning down of the students’ hostels of St. Winifred Secondary School, Ihugh, October 28th, 2025, May 10th, 2026, May 15th, 2026, and October 11th, 2026, acts that have destroyed the shelter of young people entrusted to our care, wiped out the labour and sacrifices of many years, and placed the lives and safety of students, teachers and staff in grave danger.”

The diocese said the hostel fires were not isolated incidents, citing repeated burglaries at St Winifred Parish, criminal incidents at St Thomas Hospital and disturbances during the hospital’s reopening on June 21, 2024.

According to the letter, some residents displayed placards and chanted slogans declaring that they no longer wanted fthe Reverend Sisters to work in Ihugh.

The diocese described the incidents as a pattern of hostility and destruction directed at church-owned properties, saying they had left fear, loss and uncertainty among those serving the community and those receiving services from the Church.

It said it had met with the host community, engaged traditional rulers and elders, and presented its grievances to relevant civil and security authorities before reaching the decision.

“Sadly, these sincere efforts have not yielded the peace, security and guarantees that the continued presence of our institutions requires.

“We have done all that depends on us. The attacks have continued, and no assurance of lasting safety has been secured,” the letter further read.

As an alternative, the diocese said pupils and students of the primary and secondary schools would be assisted to continue their education in other Catholic schools within the diocese.

It added that patients of St Thomas Hospital would be referred and handed over to other health facilities, with arrangements made to protect those requiring urgent medical attention.

“Staff affected by this decision will be treated with justice and charity, in accordance with Church teaching on the dignity of labour,” the letter concluded.

When contacted by telephone on Tuesday, Avenya confirmed the letter, saying, “Yes, we have suspended activities there.”

The agency disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the operation was carried out following credible intelligence.

According to NAFDAC, its operatives discovered unhygienic production rooms where suspects allegedly bought empty bottles of expensive wines, replaced the original labels with counterfeit ones and refilled the bottles with adulterated alcoholic beverages.

Pictures and videos from the operation showed empty bottles, fake labels and alcoholic mixtures being prepared in insanitary conditions, posing serious health risks to consumers.

Several suspects were arrested during the raid.

NAFDAC said it conducts daily enforcement operations across the country to rid the market of fake, adulterated and unwholesome regulated products.

The agency added that its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, remained committed to ensuring that Nigerians had access to wholesome food and safe and effective medicines.

NAFDAC warned individuals involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit and adulterated products to desist or face the full weight of the law.

It said it would continue to investigate and prosecute offenders as part of efforts to protect public health.

Channels

The Pope entered the hospital smiling and waving on Tuesday morning, hours before the operation to remove the growth.

“The procedure was successfully completed, within the expected time and in the planned manner,” the Vatican said in a brief statement.

“The Holy Father has returned to his room,” it added, noting that further details would be provided later.

The surgery marks the 71-year-old pontiff’s first hospitalisation since he became head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025. Vatican officials who saw him on Monday said he appeared relaxed about the hospital stay.

In a surprise announcement after Angelus prayers on Sunday, Pope Leo told crowds in St Peter’s Square that doctors had discovered the nodule “at a very early stage” during medical checks.

“The doctors believe it would be right to intervene,” he said.

The Vatican has historically maintained secrecy around the health of popes but became more transparent during the illness of Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, who openly discussed his health challenges.

People outside the hospital expressed concern over the Pope’s condition.

Giorgia Fei, a 57-year-old Italian, said she had been worried by the news.

“However, the Holy Father is in very good hands here at the hospital because we have some outstanding doctors,” she said.

“I will pray a lot for him.”

Giuseppe Purpura, 72, also expressed concern.

“He’s still quite young and I really wasn’t expecting this. I thought he was in better health,” he said, adding that “thankfully it was caught in time.”

The Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome, Cardinal Baldassare Reina, led a rosary prayer for the Pope in the hospital chapel, which was broadcast by the Vatican. Dozens of people attended, while Reina urged parishes across the city to join in the prayers.

Ahead of the surgery, the Vatican said the Pope’s recovery was expected to take about a week. His audiences have been cancelled until October 20.

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, told the ANSA news agency that Pope Leo had been “very calm” about his condition when they met on Monday.

Routine Health Checks

Born in Chicago, Leo is the first American to become pope. He is known to enjoy sports and is generally believed to be in good health.

The pontiff is scheduled to embark on a South American tour from November 6 to 17, with planned visits to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. However, it remains unclear whether the trip would be affected if his recovery takes longer than anticipated.

Under Catholic Church law, the Cardinal Camerlengo assumes certain administrative responsibilities following the death of a pope. However, the Church does not have a designated deputy to take over the pontiff’s duties if he becomes incapacitated.

Marco Scarci, a thoracic surgery specialist in the United Kingdom, told AFP that the procedure was “not a particularly risky” operation and expressed confidence that Leo would recover quickly.

Most lung nodules are benign, meaning they are not cancerous, although a small proportion may indicate early-stage lung cancer.

The Vatican told AFP that the nodule was discovered during routine health examinations, with no symptoms prompting doctors to examine the pope’s lungs.

What Is a ‘Coin Lesion’?

Professor Federico Venuta, head of thoracic surgery at Policlinico Umberto I hospital in Rome, explained to AFP that a small lung nodule is commonly described as a “coin lesion” because of its coin-like appearance on an X-ray.

While small nodules often do not produce symptoms, larger ones may cause breathing difficulties, chest pain and persistent coughing, sometimes accompanied by blood.

Venuta explained that such growths “could be a whole range of benign lesions — inflammatory, infectious, autoimmune, or congenital — or they could be malignant”.

The procedure to remove a lung nodule can be performed under general anaesthesia, with the patient breathing through a tube during surgery.

According to Venuta, even if the nodule were found to be cancerous, the pope’s chances of recovery would remain encouraging.

“For a generally healthy person, the prognosis for lung cancer caught at such an early stage — specifically a pulmonary nodule with no distant spread — is absolutely favourable,” he said.

Source: AFP

The Commission said the initiative forms part of an enhanced Type Approval Compliance framework that took effect on October 7, 2026, to protect consumers, safeguard telecommunications networks and ensure that devices sold and used in Nigeria meet the required technical standards.

Speaking at a news conference on the Commission’s Technical Standards and Network Integrity initiatives in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, said the framework would strengthen monitoring and enforcement of existing regulatory requirements.

“Type Approval is not merely a regulatory requirement. It is a vital mechanism for protecting consumers, safeguarding network performance and preserving confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy,” he said.

Ogoh explained that the Commission had consulted original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications service providers, government agencies and industry associations following the issuance of the Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024.

He added that the NCC had worked with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders to verify devices already in stock and ensure that newly imported equipment underwent the required checks.

The Commission said consumers could verify their devices by dialling *315# and following the prompts or visiting its official portal at www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker.

Those checking a device other than the one they are currently using may need its 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, which can be obtained by dialling *#06#.

The NCC advised Nigerians to verify devices before making payment, particularly when purchasing second-hand phones.

However, it clarified that consumers buying devices from Nigerian sellers were not required to obtain Type Approval themselves, as compliance responsibilities rest primarily with manufacturers, importers, suppliers and businesses placing devices on the market.

According to the Commission, devices already connected to Nigerian mobile networks before the framework took effect were automatically verified and generally require no action from their users.

The framework covers smartphones, feature phones, cellular tablets, eligible Internet of Things devices, SIM-enabled point-of-sale terminals, cellular laptops and other equipment designed to connect to Nigerian mobile networks.

The NCC said devices found to be noncompliant with applicable requirements could be denied access to Nigerian mobile networks.

It explained that counterfeit phones imitate genuine products without the original manufacturers’ authorisation, while cloned devices use IMEI numbers assigned to other legitimate devices.

However, the Commission cautioned that an unsuccessful verification result did not automatically mean a device was counterfeit. It advised consumers to seek clarification from sellers and resolve outstanding verification issues before completing purchases.

Addressing privacy concerns, Ogoh said the system was designed for device identification and regulatory verification, not surveillance.

He explained that although the framework uses device identification information, including IMEI numbers, it does not give the Commission access to users’ calls, messages, photographs, contacts, financial information or other personal files.

The NCC also said the Device Checker does not track users’ physical locations or movements.

Earlier, the Director of Public Affairs at the Commission, Nneka Okoha, urged media organisations to intensify public awareness of the service and other regulatory initiatives.

Okoha said effective communication was essential to ensuring that regulatory policies achieved their intended objectives, particularly among consumers at the grassroots.

She urged journalists to provide accurate and balanced information to help Nigerians understand the Device Checker, its benefits and their responsibilities when purchasing communications equipment.

The Commission also warned consumers against fraudsters seeking to exploit the verification process. It urged them to use only the official *315# channel and NCC website and never disclose one-time verification codes to sellers, callers or other individuals.

It clarified that international roaming with foreign SIM cards would not be affected by the framework.

Visitors intending to use a Nigerian SIM card in a device that had never previously connected to a Nigerian network may use it for up to 30 cumulative days within a one-year period without verification, according to the NCC’s guidance.

The Commission said the framework was backed by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, particularly Section 132(2), the Nigerian Communications (Type Approval) Regulations 2024 and the Type Approval Business Rules 2024.

Ogoh stressed that the NCC was strengthening enforcement of an existing requirement rather than introducing a new regulatory obligation.

The Commission urged manufacturers, importers, dealers, service providers, consumer groups and media organisations to support public sensitisation and compliance.

It advised consumers experiencing verification difficulties or network restrictions to contact their service providers or seek assistance through its official support channels, including its toll-free number, 315.

The NCC reaffirmed its commitment to consumer protection, stronger technical standards and a safer, more reliable telecommunications environment in support of Nigeria’s digital economy.

Text: 1 Kings 8:1-11

8:1  Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the City of David, which is Zion. 

8:2 Therefore all the men of Israel assembled with King Solomon at the feast in the month of ^[a]Ethanim, which is the seventh month.

8:3  So all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

8:4  Then they brought up the ark of the Lord, the ^[b]tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought them up.

8:5  Also King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered for multitude. 

8:6   Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim.

8:7   For the cherubim spread their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles.

8:8 The poles extended so that the ^[c]ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place, in front of the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day.

8:9 Nothing was in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

8:10 And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord

8:11  so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

STUDY:

The Ark of the Covenant was at the centre of the worship of God’s people, Israel. It was previously captured by the Philistines (1 Sam. 4:11) and was later brought to Zion by David and kept in the tent he had made for it (1 Sam. 6:16-17). Soon after the dedication of the temple of Jerusalem, King Solomon’s next and most important move was to bring up the Ark of God into the temple and restore it to where it rightly belonged. In doing this, he made sure all the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes—the leaders of the ancestral families of the Israelites, were part of it. By this approach, everyone was connected to the altar and the ark.

If we get ourselves connected to the altar and the Ark of the Covenant of God, we will be certain that God’s blessing will flow from the throne of grace to every one of us. More so, God’s presence will be revealed in our midst, as shown in our passage: “When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple” (vv. 10-11). This experience is worth looking up to.

Prayer: 

Oh Lord, help me to always acknowledge your presence, activate it and experience it. Amen.

Watch Today’s Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional:

Watch the devotion on ACNNTV YouTube Channel

Partner with ACNNTV

Help us reach the world with the undiluted Word of God. Make Donations through our website or via the details below:

Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion ACNN Account

Account Number: 1016868363 (Zenith Bank)

Thank you for joining the Kingdom Partners today

The Technology Beyond Disability Initiative disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, saying the team, known as the STRIM Girls, presented their innovation, Saving Pad, after competing against thousands of teams from more than 160 countries.

The team comprises Adegbile Teniola Vivian, Sulaiman Maryam Adenike Isah, Moses Joy, Ukpapi Theresa Uzepi and Yusuf Ruth. The girls were mentored by the initiative.

They developed Saving Pad to help students locate nearby sanitary pad banks, request menstrual products and access menstrual health education, particularly addressing challenges faced by deaf girls and students with disabilities.

Explaining the motivation behind the innovation, the girls said, “Because when a girl’s period starts, the question should never be: ‘What am I going to do?’ It should be: ‘I know where to go.’”

The application features an interactive map for locating pad banks, a request system, period tracking and menstrual health education. It also enables coordinators to monitor supplies and receive alerts when stocks run low.

In partnership with the Deaf Women Aloud Initiative, the team has launched a pilot programme across three special schools in Abuja, with plans to expand to primary healthcare centres and vulnerable communities nationwide.

The platform is also designed to help non-governmental organisations and donor agencies track product distribution, monitor demand and coordinate the restocking of sanitary pad banks.

At the global summit, the girls demonstrated how accessible technology and community-based support could help address menstrual health challenges while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on good health and well-being, quality education, and partnerships.

On their return to Nigeria, the girls were welcomed at the airport by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, alongside members of her management team.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday to commemorate World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10.

According to the statement, the lecture was organised to sensitise officers to “the importance of mental health in policing, considering the demanding nature of police duties, including exposure to stressful situations, security challenges, emergency responses, and other occupational pressures.”

Speaking at the programme, the Head of the Police Hospital, Osun State Police Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Dr) Iyiola Ogundimite, said the initiative was designed to encourage officers to prioritise their mental well-being and seek appropriate support when necessary.

She noted that good mental health was essential for sound judgment, professionalism, effective decision-making and respectful engagement with members of the public.

The guest lecturer, psychiatrist Dr T. Ayantola of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta, Ogun State, highlighted the importance of stress management, adequate rest, healthy relationships, peer support and the early identification of psychological distress.

Officers were also encouraged to support one another, avoid stigmatising colleagues experiencing mental health challenges and seek assistance from qualified professionals when necessary.

The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Zungura, stressed that mental health was an integral part of police welfare.

He said officers who were mentally and emotionally healthy were better positioned to discharge their constitutional responsibilities effectively while upholding the fundamental human rights of citizens.

Zungura urged officers to embrace healthy coping strategies and maintain a proper work-life balance.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of its personnel to improve service delivery and enhance public safety.