In an atmosphere of thanksgiving, worship, and jubilation, the Most Revd Dr. Manasseh Gahima was formally installed today as the Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Rwanda (Église Anglicane du Rwanda) and Bishop of the Diocese of Gasabo.

The consecration and enthronement service which was monitored by ACNNTV from Abuja, Nigeria, drew thousands of worshipers, ecumenical guests, and high-ranking ecclesiastical dignitaries from around the globe. The ceremony took place at Camp Kigali and was attended by Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva, other government officials, and Anglican bishops from different countries around the world.

A central highlight of the liturgy was the symbolic handing over of the pastoral staff (crozier) by the retiring Primate, the Most Revd Dr. Laurent Mbanda, who has served at the helm of the Rwandan province since 2018. The exchange marked both the culmination of Archbishop Mbanda’s tenure and the dawn of a new leadership chapter for the church. Archbishop Mbanda continues his wider global leadership as Chairman of GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference / Global Anglican Council). During the proceedings, Mbanda expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to lead the church and handed over his responsibilities to his successor.

He said he was relinquishing the episcopal office willingly and with joy, while emphasising that stepping down from leadership did not mean leaving Christ or the Church of God.

Gahima subsequently took an oath, pledging to serve the church faithfully and with humility, before signing the document to confirm his commitment.

The outgoing archbishop handed him the pastoral staff of the Diocese of Gasabo before the new leader was formally seated in the Archbishop’s chair, marking his assumption of leadership.

Mbanda also handed over the pastoral staff of the Anglican Church of Rwanda and presented Gahima to the congregation alongside other bishops.

In his sermon delivered during the installation ceremony of the new Archbishop, the Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on Jesus Christ while carrying out the demanding task of leadership and shepherding the Church.

He reminded the new primate and the congregation that leadership is a sacred trust and a calling. He urged them to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, noting that what a person constantly focuses on shapes their thoughts and actions. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, he highlighted that ministry is not about persuasive human wisdom or speech, but about the demonstration of the Spirit and the power of God. He encouraged the new leader to rely on the help of the Holy Spirit to navigate the ministry and not to be distracted by the storms that would come.

Archbishop Ndukuba praised the outgoing Archbishop for his service and encouraged the congregation to support and lead alongside the new Primate, advising them not to compare the new leader with the previous one. He recognized the new Archbishop as a man desiring God’s help, urging him to remain focused and not allow distractions to hinder the work God has called him to accomplish .

He concluded by grounding his message in the hope of the eternal kingdom, looking toward the day when saints from all nations are gathered in the presence of Jesus.

Archbishop Gahima was warmly welcomed into the fellowship of global primates by senior conservative Anglican leaders present at the altar. Among them were Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba (Uganda), Archbishop Henry Ndukuba (Nigeria), Archbishop Miguel Uchôa (Brazil), and Bishop Julian Dobbs (Acting Primate of the Anglican Church in North America), alongside other international leaders from the Global Anglican Communion.

Addressing the congregation, the newly installed Archbishop was committed to the prayers of the faithful to preach the Word of God boldly, shepherd the province with humility, and advance the church’s evangelical and community mission across Rwanda’s dioceses.

The Most Revd Dr. Manasseh Gahima was born in December 1970. He spent much of his childhood and early youth in Uganda after his family fled Rwanda as refugees.

He holds a teaching diploma from the Institute of Teacher Education Kyambogo (Uganda), a Bachelor of Commerce from Umutara Polytechnic, a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Kabale University, and both a Master of Theology (MTh) and a PhD in Theological Studies from Wycliffe University.

Prior to his full-time ecclesiastical leadership, he served in education as deputy headmaster overseeing Anglophone studies at Lycée de Kigali. He also worked in public administration, serving as bourgmestre (mayor) of Karangazi and later Gabiro communes in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

He entered parish ministry in 2005 and served in senior administrative roles in the historic Diocese of Gahini. Consecrated as an assistant bishop in 2017 and subsequently enthroned as the second Diocesan Bishop of Gahini in May 2019, where he served for over seven years. Elected Chairperson/President of the Council of Protestant Churches in Rwanda (CPR) in March 2026. Elected by the House of Bishops on September 11, 2026, to succeed Dr. Laurent Mbanda as Archbishop of Rwanda and Bishop of Gasabo. He is married to Rose Dusenge Gahima, and they are blessed with children.

The Anglican Church of Rwanda (Église Anglicane du Rwanda) operates under an episcopal system of church governance, synodically structured across 13 geographical dioceses. 

The provincial leadership rests with the House of Bishops, headed by the Archbishop and Primate, who concurrently serves as metropolitan of the province and diocesan bishop of the host See (traditionally the Diocese of Gasabo).

Historically, Anglican work in Rwanda grew out of the Church Missionary Society and the East African Revival in Gahini during the 1920s and 1930s. Originally part of the joint Province of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire, Rwanda became an independent, self-governing province of the Anglican Communion in 1992.

Archbishop Manasseh Gahima is the 5th Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Rwanda. Exactly four archbishops led the province before him:

1. The Most Revd Augustin Nshamihigo (1992–1995) – Installed as the very first Primate when the Anglican Church of Rwanda was inaugurated as an autonomous province in 1992. He led the church through the tumultuous period leading into and through the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

2. The Most Revd Emmanuel Mbona Kolini (1998–2011) – Served as the second Primate for over a decade. His tenure focused on church reconstruction, peace-building, and reconciliation following the genocide, as well as extending theological oversight through the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA).

3. The Most Revd Onesphore Rwaje (2011–2018) – Elected as the third Primate after previously serving as Bishop of Byumba. His term emphasized community development, church sustainability, education, and early childhood interventions across Rwandan communities.

4. The Most Revd Dr. Laurent Mbanda (2018–2026) – Elected fourth Primate from the Diocese of Shyira. He oversaw the expansion of dioceses, strengthened financial self-reliance, and elevated the province’s leadership in conservative global Anglicanism, culminating in his role as Chairman of the Global Anglican Council (GAFCON).

In September after his election, he said he planned to visit all dioceses, listen to their leaders and members, and work with them to identify priorities and address challenges. 

Gahima also identified pastoral work, Bible teaching and the development of the church as key areas of focus.

He acknowledged that succeeding Mbanda would be a significant responsibility, citing the foundation his predecessor had built during his tenure.

“Succeeding Archbishop Mbanda is hard. In a short time that he was the archbishop in the Anglican Church, he has changed so much, especially the capability of the church. He has left a strong foundation that I will build on,” Gahima said. He added that he would continue seeking Mbanda’s advice and support.

Korede Akintunde writes from Abuja, Nigeria.

Revd. Omonijo died on October 15, 2026, after a brief illness, according to a statement released by the diocese on Monday.

Until his death, he served as the Vicar of the Church of Pentecost, Dopemu, Lagos, and was a dedicated member of the diocese’s Media and Publicity Department.

The diocese described the late cleric as a humble, conscientious and meticulous individual with remarkable communication skills. It also appealed to the public to remember his children and family in their prayers.

Revd. Omonijo had nearly four decades of experience in journalism. He previously worked with The Economist and Vanguard before joining The Nation in 2008, where he served as Group Political Editor and later became a member of the newspaper’s Editorial Board.

The Chairman of The Nation Editorial Board, Sam Omatseye, expressed grief over his death, describing the loss as difficult to comprehend.

Omatseye praised Revd. Omonijo’s professionalism, thoroughness and commitment to rigorous journalism, noting that he brought a critical perspective to editorial discussions and sought to move beyond partisan positions.

He recalled that Revd. Omonijo attended an Editorial Board meeting the week before his death, during which he was assigned two editorial topics to write about.

The diocese urged the public to pray for the bereaved family as they mourn his passing.

Details of the funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has directed strengthened flight safety oversight across the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), reaffirming the Service’s commitment to personnel safety, professional standards and institutional accountability following the tragic accident involving NAF ATR 42-500 aircraft NAF 931 on 5 October 2026.

The directive was issued during a meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), Principal Staff Officers and other senior commanders on 14 October 2026, where the CAS emphasised the need for sustained vigilance, strict adherence to established procedures and continuous improvement in safety management.

Expressing profound sorrow over the loss of personnel, Air Marshal Aneke acknowledged the grief of the bereaved families and the entire NAF community. He stressed that operational effectiveness must be underpinned by sound judgement, professional discipline and the highest standards of flight safety. Accordingly, he directed commanders to maintain rigorous oversight of aircraft airworthiness, maintenance quality assurance, operational procedures and aircrew competence. He also emphasised proactive safety monitoring, prompt reporting of potential hazards and effective implementation of safety measures, noting that flight safety remains a shared command responsibility. The CAS further highlighted that a substantial amount of resources has already been invested in personnel training, aircraft spares and maintenance resources to support airworthiness and operational readiness.

Meanwhile, search and recovery operations at the accident site in Igbokoda, Ondo State, continue with the involvement of specialist personnel and equipment from relevant agencies. The Head of the Recovery and Investigation Team, Air Vice Marshal EOE Ebiowe, disclosed that the operation has involved extensive mud excavation and water pumping to facilitate access to relevant areas. Satellite-based search and rescue imagery, the Nigerian Navy’s hydrographic survey team and divers, as well as divers from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), have supported the effort. Additional aircraft components have been recovered, documented and preserved for investigative purposes.

The constituted investigation board has commenced work to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident through a systematic examination of available evidence, technical information and relevant records. The CAS has directed all relevant units and branches to preserve evidence, provide necessary records and cooperate fully with the investigation. The NAF urges the public to avoid speculation, as the cause of the accident will be established through the investigative process. The Service remains committed to supporting affected families and implementing appropriate safety recommendations arising from the investigation’s findings, with the protection of personnel and the integrity of future air operations as overriding priorities.

Ehimen Ejodame

Air Commodore

Director of Public Relations and Information

Headquarters Nigerian Air Force

14 October 2026

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 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.

The much respected cleric who served as the Aso Villa Chapel under the Praesidency of Chief Dr Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will be accorded to a night of Tributes and honour at the National Christian Centre, Abuja built when he was Aso Villa Chaplin by the Federal Government on 2nd October 2026 at 4pm.

Deputy General Overseer of the All Christian Fellowship Mission, Rev Godwin Tsee who announced the burial programme on behalf of the Okoye Family and the Christian Fellowship Mission said a Service of Songs will be held at the Church premises in Maiyama today 30th September at 4pm.

Rev. Dr. William Okoye who was a former Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Chairman and also chairman Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria at the FCT for eight years died at the National Hospital Abuja on Wednesday 15th July 2026 after a brief illness at 74.

Unfortunately Rev Okoye’s thirst to obtain post primary education in Nigeria at St. Peters’ College, Achina in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State was stopped in 1967 when the Nigerian civil war broke out in 1967. He had acquired his primary school certificate from St. Mary’s Practicing School, Nwagu in Anaocha Local Government Area of same Anambra State.

He however went to America where he studied Theology at the Morris Cerullo World Evangelism School of Ministry Sandiego, California USA in 1981.

The late cleric that touched many lives in Nigeria’s Christendom is survived by his wife, six children and nine grandchildren including Mr. Victor Okoye a Journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria NAN.

Eniola Olatunji

Otti stated this during an interview with Arise Television on Friday, where he discussed the economic impact of subsidy removal and his position on the policy.

The governor said he had consistently opposed subsidising fuel consumption, stressing that government resources should instead be channelled towards supporting production.

“I don’t have a problem supporting production, but consumption should not be subsidised,” Otti said.

He recalled that he had advocated for the removal of fuel subsidy during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when global demand for crude oil had dropped significantly.

According to him, the prevailing conditions in the global oil market at the time provided Nigeria with an opportunity to end the subsidy regime.

Otti also argued that subsidising fuel consumption encouraged excessive use because consumers did not bear the full cost of the product.

He said the approach could encourage motorists to use more vehicles and consume more fuel because part of the cost was being covered by government.

“You know, as election approaches, people will be making all sorts of arguments, but removing the subsidy was the right thing to be done,” he said.

The governor added, “And I don’t think anybody who is praying that subsidy returns means well for the country.”

Otti further described the former subsidy arrangement as vulnerable to abuse, referring to it as a “scam.”

He explained that when fuel was subsidised, consumers had less incentive to reduce their consumption.

“So if you are being subsidised, you can just blast all vehicles, maybe 20 vehicles, you put all of them on the road because somebody is paying for it,” he said.

The governor acknowledged that removing the subsidy had initially increased the financial burden on Nigerians, but maintained that the policy was necessary despite the hardship it caused.

“There will be the pain initially,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, shortly after assuming office, ending the system through which the government absorbed part of the cost of petrol to keep pump prices lower.

The policy resulted in a significant increase in petrol prices and contributed to higher transportation and living costs across the country.

The Federal Government has since introduced various measures aimed at reducing the impact of the reforms on households and businesses.

However, calls for the return of fuel subsidy have remained part of the national economic debate, particularly as Nigerians continue to contend with higher fuel, transportation and other living costs.

The council also demanded the immediate payment of a fresh Wage Award and an upward review of salaries and allowances for public servants at the federal, state and local government levels.

The demands were contained in a letter to President Tinubu signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga.

The workers said the recent increase in petrol prices, which they said had reached N1,430 per litre or more in some areas, had further increased the financial pressure on workers and other Nigerians.

According to the council, successive increases in fuel prices since the removal of petrol subsidy had contributed to higher transportation costs and triggered increases in the prices of food, housing, healthcare, education and other essential services.

The JNPSNC therefore called on the Federal Government to establish a “fuel intervention fund” to help stabilise petrol prices and make the commodity more affordable.

It said the government should not be discouraged by the use of the word subsidy if such an intervention could reduce the hardship being experienced by citizens.

“The Federal Government should provide intervention that will trickle down to all Nigerians by making fuel available with affordable amount as low as N500,” the council stated.

The workers argued that stabilising petrol prices would have a wider impact on the economy because of the role of fuel in transportation, food distribution, production and other economic activities.

The council also supported the Nigeria Labour Congress’ proposals for protecting Nigerians from fluctuations in the international oil market.

It backed the call for the Federal Government to supply sufficient crude oil in naira to local refineries and increase the country’s petroleum storage capacity.

The council said such measures could support local production, create employment opportunities and contribute to addressing economic and security challenges.

Wage award, salary review

The JNPSNC also urged President Tinubu to approve an immediate Wage Award and review the salaries and allowances of public servants.

It said the rising cost of living had reduced the purchasing power of workers and affected their ability to meet basic financial responsibilities.

“Many workers are now struggling to meet basic financial obligations, which has inevitably affected the morale, motivation, and overall productivity within the Public Service,” the council said.

It consequently called on the President to direct the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to begin discussions with the NLC, Trade Union Congress, JNPSNC and other relevant stakeholders on the proposed Wage Award and salary review.

According to the council, the Wage Award should be implemented immediately as a temporary measure pending a substantive review of the National Minimum Wage.

Workers propose N500,000 minimum salary

The civil servants also called for the immediate constitution of a committee to begin negotiations for the 2027 National Minimum Wage.

They proposed N500,000 as the minimum monthly salary for an officer on Grade Level 01 Step 1, saying the figure would better reflect current economic conditions.

The council urged the government to begin negotiations early enough for the new wage to take effect from January 2027.

It also called for harmonised wages across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, while urging state and local governments to adopt similar measures.

The workers further proposed regular cost-of-living adjustments to salaries and allowances, arguing that wages should be reviewed periodically in line with inflation to prevent workers’ purchasing power from declining between wage-review cycles.

They also called for subsidised transportation and affordable housing schemes for public servants.

Workers reject food palliatives

The JNPSNC criticised the reliance on food palliatives as the main response to the economic hardship, describing such interventions as temporary and insufficient.

It argued that the government should instead implement measures capable of reducing transportation and production costs and improving the purchasing power of workers and other citizens.

The council said improving workers’ welfare was necessary not only to address economic hardship but also to maintain industrial harmony and improve public service delivery.

It stated that an upward review of public servants’ salaries and allowances was necessary to sustain the workforce and improve productivity.

Workers set September 30 deadline

The JNPSNC urged President Tinubu to respond to its demands on or before September 30, 2026, warning that urgent action was needed to ease the growing tension among workers.

The council also expressed hope that the President would address some of its concerns in his Independence Day broadcast.

It maintained that public servants remained essential to the functioning of government and national development, and called for their welfare to receive greater attention amid the prevailing economic challenges.