Author: straightnewsng.com

The death of Pope Francis marks the end of a transformative era—not just for the Catholic Church, but for the global conscience. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, he shattered centuries of precedent: the first Latin American pope, the first Jesuit to lead the Church, and the first to choose the name Francis, after the saint of poverty and peace. He walked the talk, trading papal opulence for humility. He lived simply, washed the feet of prisoners and refugees, and made the Vatican a platform for the voiceless. In him, Catholics saw not a distant pontiff but a pastor.…

Pope Francis was buried inside his favourite Rome church after a funeral mass in St Peter’s Square, the Vatican said on Saturday. Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, was laid to rest during a 30-minute ceremony which started at 1:00 pm (1100 GMT) at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in the Italian capital. Read also: World Leaders pay Glowing tributes to departed Pope Francis  Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who as camerlengo is running the Vatican’s day-to-day affairs until a new pope is elected, sprinkled it with holy water after it was lowered into a tomb set inside an alcove. People…

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, gave the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the go-ahead to arrest and detain six promoters of Crypto Bridge Exchange, CBEX, over alleged investment fraud to more than one billion dollars. Justice Emeka Nwite, who gave the order after the EFCC’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, moved an ex-parte motion to the effect, said the detention would be pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution. “I have listened to the submission of the learner counsel for the applicant, EFCC. I have also gone through the affidavit evidence with exhibits…

Rivers State has the highest number of Persons Living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Nigeria  with 208,767 recorded cases, a new report by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) data in 2024 show. This is closely followed by Benue State with 202,346 cases and Akwa Ibom with 161,597 cases in the HIV spectrum estimates. According to the data, over two million people are currently living with HIV across Nigeria, highlighting the need for sustained efforts in prevention, testing, and access to treatment. Related news Akwa Ibom Ministry installs Digital Archival system HIV-Positive 70-Year-Old Who Raped Minor In Benue Police…

Palpable fear is gripping relations of 20 passengers abducted by suspected sea pirates on board the boat of Akwa-Cross Transport Company on Good Friday. The boat that ferried the passengers mainly traders and holiday makers via Cross River was said to have left Oron for Calabar, the Cross River capital, Straightnews online has gathered. A relation to one of the victims who confided in Straightnews said the passengers were seized by the suspected armed men in the middle of the sea said ‘‘I am living in fear over the safety of the victims.’’ Related news 2 Policemen, 3 Persons In…

Agency Report The funeral of Pope Francis is scheduled for 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. eastern) on Saturday in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican announced Tuesday, following agreement by the College of Cardinals at the Catholic Church’s city-state headquarters in the heart of Rome. The coffin carrying the pope, who died Monday morning after suffering a stroke and heart failure at the age of 88, was brought in a procession on Wednesday morning to the basilica from his residence at Casa Santa Marta, where he died. The late pontiff will lie in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica for three days ahead of his…

Activities that marked Good Friday turned tragic in Cross River State as ‘angry’ flood swept away a Catholic Church worshipper, Elizabeth Awhobiwom Ukah. The lifeless body of the 23-year-old student of Federal Nursing Science College, Calabar, Cross River, was found in a drainage surrounded by heaps. The Parishioner of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Big-Qua Town, Calabar of Cross River State, had last week (Good Friday) after taking part at the Station of the Cross, went home, but was carried away by flood at Eastern Secondary School, close to Ika-Ika Oqua Market, Calabar Municipality. Later, the body was found in…

A popular Nigerian Clergyman, Bishop Gabriel Nkenang, has disabused the minds of many that politics should not be associated with Satanism and evil. Bishop Nkenang, Senior Pastor of Word Tabernacle Worldwide, Osongama Estate, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, stated this when he preached on Easter Monday during the Easter Evening of Hymns at the International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo. ‘‘Even a politician can make a difference. I do not know where we got the idea that all politicians are crooks, 419ners, and evil men. I do not know where we got the mentality that all politicians are assistant Satan. Also…

The Nigeria Police Force has extradited Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, otherwise known as “Killaboi,” from Doha, Qatar to Nigeria for trial.  The fugitive, who had been on the run for the murder of Miss Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe, was returned to the country in the early hours of Saturday, 19th April 2025, through the coordinated efforts with the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Force Headquarters Abuja and the Qatari Judicial Authorities. A press release signed by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, said the extradition followed a petition from the family of the deceased, submitted…

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has expressed happiness with the peace and unity which have become synonymous with the existence of the state in recent times. Speaking at the Easter Evening of Hymns held at the International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo, the Governor said it was fulfilling that Akwa Ibom people across political party lines and from all walks of life could assemble under one roof to sing praises to the Risen Christ. Eno said the trajectory of peace and unity must be valued, cherished and protected by all, stressing that no individual’s ambition or interest should be…