Text:1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

5:12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and ^[a]admonish you

5:13  and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

5:14 Now we ^[b]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are ^[c]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

5:15  See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

5:16  Rejoice always,

5:17 pray without ceasing, 

5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

5:19  Do not quench the Spirit.

5:20  Do not despise prophecies.

5:21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.

5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.

5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify^[d] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

5:24  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

5:25 Brethren, pray for us.

5:26  Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

5:27  I charge you by the Lord that this ^[e]epistle be read to all the ^[f]holy brethren.

5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

STUDY:

In our text today, Paul gives his readers several instructions. In verses 12-13, he emphasises the need for us to regard highly in love, those who care and labour for us in the spirit, even as we also pray for them (v. 25). He also urges us to be at peace with everyone, comfort the faint-hearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all, not to render evil for evil, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything, test all things and hold fast what is good. These are wonderful instructions from a leader to the led. Paul expects his readers to obey these instructions.

As modern leaders, we should use Paul’s words to instruct and guide those we lead, even as we also serve as perfect examples to them. Among other things, challenging situations should not overwhelm our gratitude to God. We also need to give the Spirit the freedom to move among us as He wishes. True prophecies should not be treated with contempt. We must spread this word around. As our spiritual leaders instruct us daily from the Scriptures, we must be very diligent to carry them out.

Prayer: 

Help me dear Lord, to follow to the letter; instructions from your Word. Amen.

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The company’s Site Manager, Yasser Alshamah, gave the assurance while speaking with journalists during an inspection of the project at the stadium.

Alshamah said the company had three months to complete the roofing works assigned to it and was working according to an agreed schedule.

“We have three months to complete the roofing of the stadium. We have no choice.

“Our scope is to roof some sections of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. We have a work programme and schedule. By the grace of God, and with the support of everyone, we will complete the aluminium sheet roofing on time,” he said.

Explaining the design of the stadium, Alshamah said the circular structure was necessary to achieve the intended architectural form of the facility.

“It is necessary for the stadium to be round. If it is not round, something is wrong. The front has to be round,” he said.

Also speaking, the Site Agent, Emezie Ikeanyionwu, said work was currently focused on laying the foundation columns that would support the canopy for the stadium’s umbrella roofing.

“We are working according to the timeframe and schedule.

“These are the reinforced foundation layouts that will carry the canopy of the stadium,” he said.

The Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium is among the facilities being prepared to host the 2026 National Sports Festival in Enugu State.

The assurance comes as preparations intensify ahead of the festival, with contractors and authorities working to ensure that the stadium and other critical facilities are ready before the commencement of the sporting event.

Hayab said President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were not elected by Muslims alone in the 2023 presidential election, noting that the ticket also received significant support from Christian-majority states and communities.

Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, Hayab was reacting to a viral video in which Jingir urged Muslims to support Muslim candidates and use their numerical strength to pursue their political interests.

The cleric had also described Christians as “infidels” while calling on Muslims to unite behind a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027.

Reacting, Hayab said the comments were unacceptable and could further deepen religious divisions in the country.

He said, “Will you tell me that the current Muslim-Muslim ticket that you claim to have put was only elected by Muslims? No, sir. I can count states that are mostly Christian. The man won in those states.”

The NCA chairman said Christians had previously expressed concerns about the Muslim-Muslim ticket, not because they opposed Muslims participating in politics, but because they wanted fairness and inclusiveness in governance.

“We only wanted understanding and togetherness, as enshrined in our Constitution,” he said.

Hayab also condemned Jingir’s description of Christians as “infidels”, saying no Nigerian should demean another citizen because of religious differences.

“If you respect me, you do not come out publicly and make such a derogatory statement against me, against my faith, just for politics. It is no longer politics. It is the reality that has been going on on the ground,” he said.

He said Jingir’s remarks had exposed what many Christians in Northern Nigeria had experienced over the years, including allegations of persecution, marginalisation and religious dominance.

Hayab expressed concern that the comments were made in the presence of political leaders who, according to him, did not immediately condemn the remarks.

He said Nigerians were now waiting to hear the positions of the governors present at the event, the Federal Government and politicians being promoted by the cleric.

“We are waiting to see the reaction of those governors. Whatever stopped them from reacting that day is another different thing. We are going to see what they are going to say,” he said.

Hayab maintained that the controversy was not solely about Muslims supporting Muslim candidates but about the use of inflammatory language against people of other faiths.

He argued that Nigeria had previously had political candidates from the same religious background without generating the level of tension currently surrounding the issue.

According to him, the focus should be on the competence, character and policies of political candidates rather than religious identity.

Despite the controversy, Hayab said Christian leaders would continue to engage Muslims and other religious groups in dialogue.

“We will not stop the dialogue. We will talk with honest people and clerics. We will talk with people who understand things rightly,” he said.

He, however, called on the government to act against individuals whose statements could worsen religious tensions in the country.

“Nigeria needs unity. Nigeria needs togetherness,” he added.

The NCA chairman also renewed his call for religion to be captured in Nigeria’s national census, arguing that reliable demographic data could help address competing claims about religious population and dominance.

He further urged political and religious leaders to avoid divisive rhetoric, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

Hayab warned that Nigerians were already facing economic hardship and insecurity and should not be further divided by religious politics.

“Nigerians are suffering from hunger. There is insecurity in Nigeria. Our people are not reminding themselves to do what is right to secure Nigeria and to contribute to nation building,” he said.

The incident occurred as aviation unions commenced picketing of Air Peace over unresolved labour and regulatory issues.

The National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, began the picketing in the early hours of Tuesday.

The unions had earlier issued a three-stage warning over their planned action against airlines accused of failing to remit the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge to the NCAA.

They also alleged that some domestic airlines had restricted workers from freely joining trade unions, claiming employees feared discrimination or victimisation.

The unions described the action as a measure of restraint, saying the affected airlines had been given several weeks to address their grievances.

The dispute also centres on the alleged non-remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge meant to fund aviation agencies.

While enforcing the picketing, an airport source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the driver of the bus in question drove into the airside and left the vehicle there in protest against the picketing.

The source added that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria had to tow the vehicle away to allow free movement within the airside.

Confirming the development, the NCAA spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, said the authority had ordered the identification and arrest of the driver for onward prosecution.

He said, “During the enforcement of the picketing, a driver drove the large bus to the runway, parked and left the place.

“We have ordered that the driver in question be identified and arrested for onward prosecution. How can somebody block the runway? That is seriously uncalled for. We’ll investigate, and the necessary portions of the Act will be invoked.”

However, when contacted for a reaction, Air Peace spokesperson, Efe Whiskey-Osifo, dismissed the allegation, saying the vehicle did not block the runway.

While acknowledging that the attempt is true, we wish to state the following for the records and for the benefit of the general public:

1. We condemn in the strongest terms the criminal attempt to kidnap the innocent women, and we are grateful to God and to the security agencies for their swift intervention. We continue to uphold them and their families in prayer.
2. It is true that one of the suspects is a person who presents himself as a clergyman – having worked in the Diocese of Jos before he was dismissed in 2022 by the former Bishop of the Diocese. However, we categorically state that:
   a. He was NOT reinstated by the present Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jos.
   b. He is NOT a clergyman in the employment, authority, or jurisdiction of the Anglican Diocese of Jos.
   c. The Anglican Diocese of Jos has no working relationship whatsoever with this individual.
3. It is unfortunate and malicious that the picture of the Rt. Rev. Prof. Ephraim J. Gongden, FSTAN, the incumbent Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jos, is being used and circulated in connection with this incident as if he is the suspect.
4. To suggest that “the clergyman, Rev. Mijah, is from the Diocese of Jos” and to attach the Bishop’s image to the story amount to deliberate blackmail, wickedness, misrepresentation, and an act of hatred.

5. It is misleading, sad, and unjust that the victim is now being made to look like the criminal. This is a deliberate attempt to damage the image and reputation of the Diocese, the office of the Bishop, and the Church of God.

6. We call on all media houses (electronic and conventional), bloggers, and social media users to desist from spreading unverified information, false images, and defamatory contents.

7. We urge the public to verify facts before sharing. The Church is a house of peace and truth, and we will not allow the name of Christ and His Church to be dragged into criminality.

8. We have reported this misinformation and cyber-bullying to the appropriate security and legal authorities for necessary action.

9. We call on all members of the Diocese and the entire Christian community to remain calm, prayerful, and united. Evil will not have the last word.

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” – 1 Peter 2:23.

Signed,
Harrison N. Ugwuala Esq.,
Registrar, Anglican Diocese of Jos.

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.

5:2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 

5:3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 

5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

5:5  You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be ^[a]sober.

5:7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

5:8  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 

5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

5:10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

5:11 Therefore ^[b]comfort each other and ^[c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.

STUDY:

The time and date of our Lord’s (Jesus) Second Coming is known only by the Father Himself (Matt. 24:16). But mark this, it will come like a thief in the night. Thieves operate in concealment which calls for watchfulness and readiness. Anyone that walks in darkness is vulnerable to being attacked by anything.
While waiting and watching, we need to do the following: (i). Walk in the light of the Word of God (Psa. 119:105) to enable us to be awake so that His coming will not take us by surprise.

We must “study to show yourself approved, a workman that needs not to be ashamed… (2Tim. 2:15). (ii) We need to be sober-minded and love others, without which we shall just be noise makers (1 Cor. 13:1). (iii) Guard jealously our prized salvation. We should put on the helmet of salvation to protect both the head and the body. When the head is destroyed, the body is of no effect. (iv) We need to inculcate the habit of encouraging one another as we fellowship together (Heb. 10:25b). Discouragement is a veritable tool in the hand of the devil and he has used it on many, to the point of making them believe that Christianity is a scam. (v) Be prayerful always (1 Thess. 5:17; Luke 18:1). We must also watch and pray so that we do not enter into temptation (Matt. 26:41).

Prayer: 

Lord, give me the grace to live by the light of your word in readiness of your coming.

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Text: : 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

4:13  But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen ^[b]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 

4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who ^[c]sleep in Jesus.

4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are ^[d]asleep. 

4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

4:17  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 

4:18  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

STUDY:

From our text today, Apostle Paul did not want the Thessalonian church to be ignorant of the Second Coming of Jesus in His glory. The word ‘rapture’ is not explicitly mentioned in the Scripture. The pictorial final position of the saints triumphant and militant described in our text today, clearly represents rapture. This is the taking up of the saints, both dead and alive, to meet the Lord in the cloud as he descends from heaven with a shout, the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God.

This is a great comfort to all believers, especially when we lose a dear one in Christ and undergo all kinds of challenges. We know that one day, we will be together again in God’s glorious kingdom. As a faithful bride, let us be encouraged with this fact that a pay day is coming in which our Lord will reward us greatly for all our labour of love (1 Cor. 15:58). We shall ever be with Him, and this should be our consolation in this world.

Prayer: 

Father, may I be prepared and alert in the spirit always as I wait for your coming in glory. May I not be caught unawares, Amen.

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The station, a former pirate radio that now mainly broadcasts rock music, had apologised after messages falsely announcing the monarch’s death were aired.

One of the messages stated that normal programming had been suspended “as a mark of respect following the passing of His Majesty King Charles III”.

The station then played the national anthem, followed by about 16 minutes of silence before regular programming resumed.

According to Ofcom, the presenter apologised about 30 minutes after the false announcement was initially broadcast.

The regulator, which received two complaints about the incident, said the broadcast breached two of its rules due to the “very significant inaccuracy” and the delay in correcting the mistake.

One of the rules requires news reports to be accurate and impartial, while another requires broadcasters to promptly acknowledge and correct significant mistakes.

Radio Caroline explained that the incident occurred when a staff member accessed pre-recorded audio files prepared for use in the event of the King’s death while carrying out maintenance on a studio computer.

The staff member reportedly played the files “out of curiosity”, which interrupted the remote presenter’s stream and caused the recordings to be broadcast.

According to Ofcom, the staff member panicked after realising what had happened and left the premises.

The station said the remote presenter did not realise that the broadcast had been interrupted because they were not monitoring the output through an internet monitor.

The presenter also did not immediately respond to calls from colleagues who had noticed the error because they were not actively monitoring their phone.

Radio Caroline said the staff member responsible had been reprimanded and apologised, while the pre-recorded files had since been removed from the studio computer.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, through the scheme’s official X account.

The scheme urged corps members, employers and other stakeholders to take note of the scheduled date.

“All Corps Members, Employers and other stakeholders of the Scheme are enjoined to take note of the date,” the statement read.

The NYSC also said Certificates of National Service would be distributed to eligible corps members at the local government level on the passing-out date.

The announcement marks the completion of the national service programme for members of the 2025 Batch B Stream II.

The agency’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.

Adekoye said three of the convictions resulted in life imprisonment, adding that most of the cases involved rape.

“From January 2026 to now, we have rescued over 3,000 people from critical situations. We have also arrested a whole lot and are prosecuting a whole lot of them,” he said.

He said NAPTIP had strengthened its response to SGBV through increased collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

According to him, the agency is also engaging communities and training frontline responders to improve the prevention, reporting and response to SGBV cases.

Adekoye warned perpetrators to desist from such acts, noting that offenders could be prosecuted under laws including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act.

He also cited the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Maputo Protocol as relevant instruments for protecting victims’ rights.

Adekoye said the recent inauguration of an SGBV Media Corps by NAPTIP was aimed at strengthening media support in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.

He urged journalists to go beyond reporting individual cases and investigate the underlying factors contributing to SGBV.

“We want the media to ask why cases are rising and examine the roles of critical institutions, customs, norms, behaviours and habits in addressing the problem,” he said.

The NAPTIP spokesperson also called for victim-centred reporting that protects the dignity, privacy and safety of survivors.

“We must protect the victims, ensure their dignity and privacy are protected, and help them regain trust in society,” he said.

The remarks were made at the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Media Corps Workshop organised by NAPTIP.

The workshop was supported by the European Union Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Programme and implemented by International IDEA.