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Is it right for a lady to propose to the man she loves?

If a woman chooses to express her love by proposing to a man, she must also possess the emotional maturity to accept that his answer may be no. Love is an invitation, not an obligation. The courage to confess one’s feelings should be matched by the grace to respect another person’s freedom to decline. Just as society expects women to have the right to reject a man’s proposal without guilt or condemnation, men deserve that same autonomy.

Genuine love honours free will – it does not demand reciprocity simply because affection has been expressed. Therefore, if we advocate the normalisation of women proposing, we must equally normalise a man’s right to decline without being vilified or pressured.

Making her interest known is the better approach. By expressing her feelings, she opens the door without compelling anyone to walk through it. She gives the man the clarity to determine whether he shares her interest – and, if he does, the opportunity to pursue the relationship with conviction, purpose, and genuine intention. If he is interested, he would naturally make his move. That initiative becomes a deliberate expression of his own desire rather than a response to external pressure.

Grace Adeifa

A lady can express her interest or even propose to a man she loves, provided it is done sincerely and without pressure. What is most important is the mutual feelings. Although traditionally or culturally, it is expected that men should initiate proposals or relationships, which are built on mutual love, respect, and communication. What matters most is that both people freely choose each other and are equally committed to the relationship.

Most ladies might not be able to directly propose to the men they love, but they can express interest to him. I mean, ladies have a way of signaling feelings to someone they love, but it is up to the man to detect and do what is necessary about it.

Omoniyi Omotehinse

A lady can absolutely propose to the guy she loves. Love should not be based on gender, and should not be one-sided. For too long, we have allowed culture to trap us with the gods of gender-based proposal, this idea that only the man must kneel, only the man must speak first. That mindset is outdated. If you are a lady and you love your man, and you are sure of your heart and your intentions, then go ahead and make the move. Your courage does not make you less of a woman. It makes you honest.

The truth is, sometimes, the guy is not emotionally ready, or he is unsure, and that keeps the relationship on hold. But when a lady takes that bold step, it could trigger clarity. It can push him to do the needful and decide. At the end of the day, love is about two people choosing each other. Let us kill the bias and embrace love that is mutual, intentional, and fearless.

Daniel Goodness

Once it is done with honesty and courage, it is fine. If a lad tells a guy about her feeling and he too is interested in her, as far as the feeling is mutual, then why not?

This is 2026. We do not have to make love gender-based. Many ladies like a guy and let them go because they were not able to approach him. Meanwhile, the guy likes them too but thought the lady would not accept their love. If you like a guy, forget the cultural belief that says a guy must approach a lady first.

Faith Ifedayo

A lady can propose to a man. It shows confidence. Proposing could demonstrate honesty, courage, and a willingness to take initiative. Love is mutual. If a woman is sure about her feelings and wants to spend her life with someone, expressing that commitment is just as meaningful.

Whether it is right for a lady to propose to the man she loves depends on personal beliefs, culture, and the couple’s values; there is nothing inherently wrong with it. Love, commitment, and mutual respect are shown as long as the two love themselves and are ready to achieve one goal, which is love.

Dorcas Aliu

It is absolutely right for a lady to propose to the man she loves. Love is not gendered. If you are sure and you respect each other. Courage matters more. If you know what you want and you love someone, waiting just because the guy should do it can make you miss out. Courage should count more than tradition.

A lot of relationships are now built on partnership, not on the old rules. If a lady is confident and ready, proposing shows intention and honesty. Some guys are shy, unsure, or scared of rejection too. A proposal from a lady can actually make things clearer for both people.

Adedokun Abdullah

It is perfectly normal. There is nothing wrong with a woman proposing to a man she genuinely loves. Love and commitment are not determined by who asks first. What matters most is that the people involved in the relationship are serious about it and ready for the commitment. I mean, she can absolutely do the whole proposal herself. There is nothing wrong with a woman taking that step if she genuinely loves the man and is ready for commitment. What matters is the love and sincerity behind it. I think love makes things easier for everyone. If two people genuinely love each other, I do not think it should matter who proposes first or how it happens.

Iffy Ikechukwu

Honestly, I do not think it is right. I am not saying the lady is wrong for having feelings or knowing what she wants or being the goal-getter, which is fine. I believe the man should lead. That is how I see it. If I love a woman, I want to be the one to step up, be the one to take the risk, and tell her how I feel and not her doing it. That is part of being a man to me.

If a lady proposes to me, I would feel like something is off, something is wrong. Sometimes, I would even feel she has a wrong motive. And it is not really about ego; it is about the natural order of things. The man pursues, the man leads. If she likes me, she can show signs, give me green lights. But she should let me be the one to make the move. That is what I believe.

Oluwapelumi Akintoye

As a guy, it is acceptable for a woman to propose to a man she genuinely loves. For example, I have seen a case where it was the lady who called the guy to tell him how she felt about him. A healthy relationship is built on mutual respect, honesty, and shared commitment, not on rigid gender expectations.

While cultural and religious traditions in some societies may favour men proposing, there is nothing wrong with a woman expressing her desire to spend the rest of her life with someone she truly loves. What matters most is that both individuals freely consent, communicate openly, and respect each other’s values. Every couple should make decisions that align with their beliefs and circumstances rather than feeling pressured by social stereotypes.

Olusola Obalola

Nigeria is actually a gender-biased country because there is nothing that is supposed to be wrong with it normally. But the kind of environment we find ourselves in has made us think that the marriage proposal act is for the male gender alone. Love is shared between two people. So, why is a marriage proposal for one party?

5 Die As Mining Pit Collapses In Taraba

At least five people have died following the collapse of a mining pit at Mayo Kam in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The pit reportedly collapsed on the suspected miners on Thursday, during which 20 people were feared trapped. It was gathered that fellow miners at the site subsequently launched a rescue operation.

The spokesperson of the Taraba State police command, ASP Victor Mshelizah, confirmed the incident, but said only five people lost their lives.

Earlier on Thursday night, a resident of the area, Idris Sarkin Dawa, told our reporter that four bodies had so far been recovered from the collapsed pit at Kusum, an area not far from the main mining site shut by the Taraba State Task Force on Illegal Mining last month.

He said the miners used diggers and other equipment to open up the collapsed pit during the rescue operation.

‘Four bodies were removed from the pit through an operation embarked upon by miners at the site,’ he said.

According to him, the operation began hours after the incident occurred and was expected to continue yesterday morning, adding that the rescue effort was difficult because of the depth of the pit.

The Sarkin Dawa said the identities and places of origin of the victims were yet to be established because miners at the site came from different parts of the country and beyond.

He suggested that the victims could be from the same state as miners usually worked in groups at individual pits.

‘There are many pits at the site, each being manned by at least 10 people or more.

‘What happened yesterday was a sad event and it has brought fear and uncertainty to the miners who work at the risk of arrest or being buried,’ he added.

He said it was difficult to determine the exact number of miners trapped in the collapsed pit because it was a large one where more than 20 miners could work at a time.

It would be recalled that the Taraba State Task Force on Illegal Mining had shut several illegal mining sites across the state in recent months. However, illegal miners have continued to return to some of the sites despite enforcement efforts.

NUJ urges politicians to focus on issues ahead of 2027 elections

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, has called on political actors to focus their campaigns on policies and programmes capable of addressing the challenges facing citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The union also urged journalists to remain politically neutral and professionally independent as political activities gather momentum.

The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the council’s congress held on Saturday at the NUJ Press Centre, Zuru Road, Sokoto.

The communiqué was signed by the council’s Chairman, Comrade Usman Mohammed Binji, and Secretary, Muhammad Nasir Bello.

The council urged political actors to avoid inflammatory statements and personal attacks, saying, ‘Political actors should shun campaigns of calumny, character assassination and inflammatory rhetoric, and conduct issue-based campaigns centred on policies, programmes and solutions to the challenges facing citizens.’

It also charged journalists to uphold professionalism, accuracy, fairness and independence in their coverage of political activities.

According to the communiqué, ‘The Congress directed journalists to maintain political neutrality, non-partisanship and professional independence, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.’

The union described journalism as a critical pillar of democracy and urged practitioners to use their platforms to promote accountability and report issues of public interest.

‘The Congress reaffirmed the pivotal role of journalism as a pillar of democracy and charged journalists to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accuracy, fairness and independence in promoting public accountability, exposing wrongdoing and reporting matters of public interest,’ it stated.

On the security of media practitioners, the council expressed concern over the continued insecurity in the country and called on governments at all levels to strengthen measures to protect lives and property.

It also urged journalists and media organisations to hold press conferences at the NUJ Press Centre whenever possible, except in compelling circumstances.

The council said the measure was aimed at ‘enhancing the safety and security of journalists’ amid the prevailing security challenges.

The congress further called for increased support for internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups affected by insecurity.

It urged governments and relevant stakeholders to establish and expand skills acquisition centres for Almajiri children, IDPs and out-of-school children.

Such initiatives, it said, would help ‘equip them with sustainable livelihood skills and reduce their vulnerability.’

On public health, the NUJ expressed concern over reported cases of diphtheria and called for intensified public enlightenment campaigns.

It also reminded journalists of the need to verify health-related information before publication to prevent the spread of misinformation.

The council said, ‘The Congress charged journalists to verify health information before publication and promote responsible health-seeking behaviour among the public.’

The union commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for the subsidised sale of rice, fertiliser and other agricultural inputs to citizens, urging the state government to sustain the measures.

It said the interventions should be strengthened to support farmers, improve food access and enhance food security.

The congress also commended the governor’s wife, Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, for providing humanitarian assistance to communities affected by banditry in Kebbe, Yabo, Bodinga, Shagari, Binji, Tangaza, Rabah and Wurno Local Government Areas.

The council called for the expansion of humanitarian support to vulnerable communities affected by insecurity.

The NUJ reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom, professional ethics, democratic accountability and peaceful coexistence, urging governments, security agencies, political actors, media organisations and citizens to support the media in promoting an informed and accountable society.

I was admitted in hospital anytime my husband gave me heavy blows, woman tells court

Grade A Customary Court, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the union between a woman, Moriamo, and her husband, Kayode, on the account of irresponsibility, lack of love and care, and domestic violence by the latter.

Moriamo, who dragged her husband to court, stated he neglected his duties in the home and passed the majority of his responsibilities to her.

Moriamo explained that she and her husband jointly contribute money to purchase foodstuff for their home, while she was the one who enrolled their children in school and paid their school fees.

The plaintiff further said that all that the defendant knew to do was to eat out of the food she prepared through her sweat and beat her to a pulp.

Moriamo stated that Kayode was cruel and in the habit of beating her any time she demanded that he should be up to his responsibilities in the home.

According to the plaintiff, the defendant on many occasions tore her clothes and left her almost naked during a fight, adding that there were times she landed in the hospital and was placed on admission after he had dealt her heavy blows.

Moriamo told the court that she was no longer interested in her marriage to Kayode and therefore prayed the court to end their relationship.

She further sought an order restraining her husband from threatening and interfering with her privacy.

Kayode agreed that their union be dissolved, stating that Moriamo had already walked out of their marriage, and now married to another man.

The defendant pleaded for custody of their last child who is a male.

Moriamo, in her evidence, said, ‘I moved in with my husband shortly after we met.

‘My marriage to my husband is void of love and care.

‘He neglected me and likewise extended this attitude to our children when we started having them.

‘My husband failed to carry out his duties in the home.

‘We both contribute towards buying foodstuff every month, while I bore the responsibility of training our children in school because he was indifferent to their education.

‘He refused to pay the common entrance fee of our third child when I requested that he did.

‘My husband is brutal in nature and fond of beating me to a pulp any time we had a misunderstanding.

‘He always went irate any time I challenged him to be up to his task in the home and would beat and almost kill me.

‘My husband always tore my clothes when beating me and would leave me almost stark naked.

‘There were times I ended up being admitted into the hospital after he had dealt with me brutally.

‘My husband did not restrict his cruel behaviour to the home.

‘There were times he came to my shop to fight and beat me.

‘I walked out of our marriage when I could no longer stomach his maltreatment of me.

‘I pray this Honourable Court end our marriage.

‘I further request an order restraining him from threatening and interfering with my private life.

Kayode responded, ‘I agree that our marriage be dissolved because she is now married to another man.

‘My lord, all that my wife said is a lie.

‘I have always been responsible for our children’s education and have consistently met other needs.

‘She lied that I paid her bride price.

‘I refused to pay our third child’s examination fee because my wife left home without my consent and refused to return to sleep.

‘I hereby appeal to this honourable court to grant me custody of our third child who is a male.’

The court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, after she had heard both parties stated that there was no valid customary marriage to be dissolved, since no bride price was paid.

Akintayo gave an order restraining the defendant from threatening and interfering with the plaintiff’s private life.

One confirmed shot, as NDC alleges attack on supporters during Effurun rally

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has alleged that its members and supporters were attacked by suspected political thugs during a mobilisation exercise along Airport and Refinery Roads in Uvwie council area of Delta State, on Friday.

The allegation followed the disruption of a mobilisation rally involving supporters of the NDC, including backers of its presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, around Delta Career’s College.

Videos circulating online showed a tense confrontation involving supporters in blue shirts, some of whom were seen carrying sticks.

Comrade Efemena Umukoro, an NDC supporter, made the allegation in videos posted on his Facebook page, accusing supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of carrying out the attack.

Videos seen by The Nation showed a confrontation involving men described by Umukoro as APC thugs and NDC supporters. Police officers were also visible in the videos as the confrontation unfolded.

Umukoro claimed that two NDC supporters were shot during the incident and that an AK-47 rifle allegedly recovered from the attackers was handed over to the police.

In one of the videos, Umukoro while referring to the Delta State Government, said: ‘If you have done anything good why are you fighting the opposition?’

He added: ‘This is the second time this is happening to me. As you believe you have thugs. Your boys came to beg us at Angle Park Roundabout for us to shift grounds, we did. They came to the next roundabout with their thugs, but the masses came out for us and we were able to force our way through.’

He later posted: ‘My men just recovered an AK 47 rifle from APC thugs,’ adding that the weapon had been handed over to the police.

The Delta State Police Command has however denied claims that it was handed an AK-47 rifle, adding that the gunshot wound sustained was from a local gun.

SP Bright Edafe, told The Nation, ‘It should be those small locally made guns, because it is pellets that were removed from his body. He’s alright now. But we are on the trail of the attackers.’

Meanwhile, the NDC governorship candidate in Delta State, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, condemned what he described as a violent attack that disrupted the party’s rally in Uvwie.

In a statement posted on X, Iyovwaye said the incident would not deter the party from continuing its campaign.

He said anyone seeking to lead the people must prioritise the protection of lives, respect citizens and create an environment where every citizen can live without fear.

The candidate vowed that the NDC would continue to ‘speak, engage, organise and peacefully demand a better Delta State’, stressing that the people deserve better and that the party’s resolve remained strong.

Similarly, the NDC House of Representatives candidate for Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency, Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, has blamed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the APC for allegedly mobilising thugs to attack NDC members during the party’s ‘1,000,000-Man March for NDC candidates, 5-over-5’ in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area.

Reports from the scene said NDC supporters, including members of the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements, were marching around the Airport Road-Effurun axis when they were confronted by a group of men described by witnesses as political thugs.

Ominimini alleged that the confrontation was not spontaneous, but an attempt to intimidate members of the opposition party and disrupt its campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘We hold Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the APC responsible for mobilising thugs to attack our members during the peaceful 1,000,000-Man March in Effurun,’ he said, according to reports of his reaction.

He described the alleged attack as a threat to democratic participation and called on security agencies to investigate the incident and identify those responsible.

The NDC candidate also urged party supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, insisting that the reported confrontation would not stop the party from continuing its mobilisation across Delta.

The Delta State Government and APC had yet to respond to the allegations as of press time.

Meanwhile, an NDC member in a video posted on X has appealed for blood donations for supporters allegedly injured in the incident.

‘Please urgently, we need blood… Please NDC, we’re donating blood for our injured people; we are in the hospital. If you can donate, please come,’ the member said in a message circulated online.

The incident comes amid increased political mobilisation in Delta State ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties stepping up activities across the state.

Boko Haram fighters using AI to build bombs, plan attacks – Study

Boko Haram fighters are using artificial intelligence chatbots developed by major technology companies to build more powerful bombs, plan attacks and solve operational problems during combat, according to research by the University of Cambridge.

Al Jazeera, which reported this on Friday, said the study was based on interviews with 27 former members of the terrorist group’s two factions – the Islamic State West Africa Province and Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihad.

Some of those interviewed said members routinely consulted OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, Google’s Gemini, Elon Musk’s Grok, Meta AI and China’s DeepSeek for technical and military advice before, during and after attacks.

Material obtained by Al Jazeera also showed supporters of the wider Islamic State group exchanging information on how to bypass AI safety controls and obtain weapons-related guidance.

Researchers from Tech Against Terrorism reportedly infiltrated a pro-ISIL online technical forum where users discussed ways of circumventing restrictions intended to prevent chatbots from providing dangerous information.

The findings come amid growing concern over extremist groups’ adoption of emerging technologies. United Nations officials warned the Security Council in February that ISIL and its affiliates were increasingly using advanced AI.

‘There is nothing we haven’t received an answer on,’ a former ISWAP commander told the Cambridge researchers.

Former fighters described an organised system through which selected members were trained to use AI inside insurgent-controlled areas of northeastern Nigeria.

One former commander said trainers assembled senior members in a room and used a projector to demonstrate how AI platforms worked. They were also allegedly taught how to evade safeguards preventing the systems from answering harmful requests.

According to the study, laptops fitted with privacy and encryption tools were supplied to the fighters, while accounts and paid subscriptions to several AI platforms were created for them.

The former members repeatedly identified the wider ISIL movement as the source of the training.

The research suggested that the use of AI went beyond occasional consultations by individual fighters. Both ISWAP and JAS allegedly established specialist AI units staffed by engineers, weapons experts and bomb-makers.

One former JAS commander described a 23-member unit operating from a solar-powered room. The unit reportedly answered technical questions, analysed information and trained senior commanders.

Former fighters said bomb-makers kept laptops nearby while assembling explosive devices and returned to AI chatbots whenever they encountered problems.

Antonia Juelich, who conducted the Cambridge study, said about 10 of the 27 former fighters interviewed spoke about using AI in connection with explosives. This included efforts to increase the destructive power of bombs and extract explosive material from unexploded military ordnance. Uelich said the greatest danger was not merely that fighters could obtain weapons information already available in manuals and online, but that AI could provide tailored responses to particular problems.

She said fighters could describe the materials available to them, ask follow-up questions and receive guidance adapted to their immediate circumstances.

Former members also claimed that AI was consulted on recovering material from unexploded ordnance and adapting commercially available drones to carry explosives.

The technology was reportedly used at different stages of combat. In one account, images transmitted by a fighter wearing a body camera were uploaded to ChatGPT for analysis before fresh instructions were relayed to those on the battlefield.

When commanders once asked a specialist how to operate newly acquired firearms, his answer illustrated how common the practice had become: ‘Just ask Grok.’

The study also alleged that insurgents consulted AI for advice on overcoming trenches dug around military positions, determining the number of fighters needed for operations and analysing why previous attacks had failed.

Researchers from Tech Against Terrorism said ISIL supporters outside Nigeria were similarly discussing how to ‘jailbreak’ AI systems by making them ignore their safety restrictions.

One forum user reportedly compared the process to removing the speed limiter from a vehicle so that it could travel faster than its manufacturer intended.

‘This is the tip of the iceberg,’ Lucas Webber of Tech Against Terrorism said.

Juelich acknowledged that regulating AI could be difficult because questions about military tactics might have legitimate research or journalistic purposes. She, however, said requests for assistance in making bombs were clearly prohibited and should be stopped by companies’ safeguards.

OpenAI prohibits the use of its systems for terrorism, violence and weapons development. Anthropic and Meta also say they use automated safeguards to identify and block dangerous requests, while xAI prohibits attempts to circumvent its safety mechanisms.

Al Jazeera said it contacted OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI, Meta and DeepSeek for comments on the findings.

The Cambridge interviews largely concerned the insurgents’ use of AI in 2023 and 2024. Juelich said this made the findings more alarming because AI systems had become substantially more capable since then.

‘I worry about where this is heading,’ she said.

Why praying is good in late age

There is a famous painting that I love. It’s called ‘The Praying Hands’ by the German artist Albrecht Drer, whose fondest dream was to be an artist. He had a friend, an older man, who also had an ambition to be a painter. In their early years, the two of them struggled together to stay alive by selling their works. The older painter probably realized that Drer was the more gifted and skilled artist so he proposed an arrangement – he would go out to work to earn for both of them while Drer continued to paint.

When they had saved enough funds from selling Drer’s paintings, the friend said that he wanted to take up painting again. Alas, by that time, he could no longer do it. He had developed enlarged joints and twisted fingers, which made it impossible for him to hold a paintbrush. One day, Drer saw his friend kneeling in prayer. He said, ‘I can never give back the skill in those hands, but I can show the world the feeling of love and gratitude which is in my heart for his noble deed.’ He did it by painting those hands clasped in prayer.

That work of art has inspired people all over the world and continues to serve as a touching homily on the virtues of sacrifice and gratitude.

‘Do you still pray?’ One of my close friends suddenly asked me out of the blue.

‘Yes, I still pray,’ I replied, but a little wary.

The truth is I wasn’t ready or in the mood to explain. For one, I never really reflected on the question, which caught me off guard. I had a feeling that he was really fishing.

Then I turned the tables. ‘How about you, do you still pray?’

My friend revealed that he was re-learning to pray the rosary. It was then that I sensed he was more interested in finding a reason or a justification to pray. He was mildly depressed about the current state of his life, having been abandoned by his wife while being estranged from his youngest son who was staying with him. I could understand he was seeking some sort of spiritual comfort.

My friend is not alone. I’ve noted that more and more seniors I’ve known are becoming prayerful. Is it because being in retirement, they now have more time on their hands and want to devote the remaining years to the salvation of their souls? It’s turning out that for those at the end of life, idleness is the workshop of the Sacred and not of the devil.

But it’s a good thing to reflect on. Praying. And from what I’ve learned it’s a healthful practice.

In childhood, like most of those who went to Catholic schools, I learned to pray the Hail Mary, the Angelus, the Rosary, Guardian Angel prayer, and so forth. I even memorized some prayer-songs and chants in Latin, such as Salve Regina, Tantum Ergo and O Salutaris Hostia.

But now in my septuagenarian years, my perspective on praying has evolved. I still recite some of the familiar prayers I learned in a grade school run by Benedictine nuns. They are embedded in my mind. However, they are now a means to an end or pegs for higher spirituality. Like the ‘om’ mantra recited by Eastern mystics, they set the mood, so to speak, enabling me to calm my mind and slow down my pulse for what the late Trappist monk Thomas Merton calls ‘our daily appointment with Mystery.’

When I recite the Rosary, which I still know by heart, I use the moments to contemplate mindfully on the virtues of humility and forgiveness, mystery of suffering, the continuity of life after death, and other deeper messages that spring from the ‘mysteries’ of the rosary.

Praying is a way to slow down and enter a space where you can listen more deeply to your life and recognize the Divine presence in the details of our everyday lives and be grateful for just being alive. From waking up to going to sleep, from eating and drinking to noticing beauty and natural wonders, praying is a way to say thank you – for breath, for food, for love, for life.

You don’t have to be religious to benefit from praying. All you need is an open heart, a moment of quiet, and a willingness to engage.

But here’s the good news about praying. One study, published in the Journal of Aging and Health, concludes that as people grow older, the more frequently they pray, the greater their sense of well-being.

Scientific research has recently discovered praying doesn’t just provide spiritual benefits, it can also be one of the simplest, most powerful habits for improving mental health, especially in late age.

There is an indication that praying protects our brain. How? Praying tends to lower stress and cortisol, which over the years can help protect brain regions like the hippocampus. It is actually a mental exercise, drawing on memory, language, and focus. For an older adult, this is hopeful. It means praying as a daily practice may be doing more for the mind than we realized.

For many seniors already living with creeping dementia, prayer is often one of the last things to remain reachable, a source of calm and identity when so much else has slipped away. There are reports of people with advanced dementia who can no longer hold an ordinary conversation but can still recite a familiar prayer learned in childhood. Such experiences are not necessarily medical miracles, a neurologist says. They may reflect the durability of deeply learned and repeatedly practiced memories.

I don’t want to go much into the science of it but the good thing that researchers have found out is that old people want their praying to be more personal, more private and an intimate direct relationship with a God Himself or a revered saint. Praying for them is spending time sharing their feelings, thoughts and dreams with Someone who loves them unconditionally.

Indeed, like the good old apple a day, a prayer a day is good medicine.

Let me end with a simple prayer, a keepsake, which sums up my life as an offering of gratitude, similar in tone to the ‘Praying Hands’ painting of Albrecht Drer. It was composed by my brother DOM Carlos, a Benedictine monk, who offered his life for the poor and downtrodden and became a Martial Law ‘desaparecido.’ It was his ‘mi ultimo adios.’

‘Lord, my Tax-collector

Here I am Your tax-payer

Now it’s your turn

To ask for the just tax

Let me pay these

Till the end of my life

Daily piling up

So that in the end

I may pay You all…’

NBA demands independent probe into deaths of suspected illegal miners in Minna

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Minna Branch, at the weekend called for a prompt, thorough, transparent and independent investigation into the reported deaths of more than 35 persons detained at a facility of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

The NBA, in a statement issued by its Chairman, Ibrahim Muhammad Ndamitso, expressed profound sadness and concern over the incident, describing the reported loss of lives in custody as a matter of utmost seriousness.

Ndamitso said that while the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, including the number and identities of the deceased and the immediate causes of their deaths, had yet to be conclusively established, the reports raised serious concerns about the conditions under which the affected persons were detained.

He extended condolences to the families, relatives and loved ones of those who reportedly lost their lives, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased and strength for their bereaved families.

The NBA chairman stressed that deprivation of liberty does not strip a person of their fundamental human dignity, noting that persons in custody remain entitled to humane treatment and protection of their fundamental rights under the Constitution and other applicable laws.

He particularly emphasised the constitutional right to dignity of the human person, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, adding that authorities responsible for custodial facilities have a corresponding duty to protect the lives, health, safety and dignity of detainees.

Ndamitso called on the relevant authorities to establish the exact number and identities of those who died, as well as the condition and whereabouts of other persons detained at the facility, subject to applicable legal and privacy safeguards.

He also demanded appropriate forensic and medical examinations, including autopsies where necessary, to establish the immediate and underlying causes of death.

The NBA chairman urged authorities to investigate the conditions at the facility, including ventilation, sanitation, food and water supply, medical attention, accommodation, security and the general welfare of detainees.

He said the investigation should also establish the legal basis for the arrest and detention of the affected persons, the duration of their detention and whether constitutional and statutory safeguards were observed.

The branch called for the preservation of all relevant evidence, including custody registers, arrest and medical records, CCTV footage where available, officers’ duty records and other materials that could assist the investigation.

Ndamitso further urged the authorities to hold accountable, in accordance with the law, anyone found to have acted unlawfully, negligently or in breach of established custodial standards.

He called for an immediate review of custodial facilities across Niger State to prevent a recurrence, while urging authorities to ensure that the families of the deceased were treated with dignity, kept informed and provided with all lawful assistance required to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The NBA chairman cautioned against detaining anyone merely on the basis of a label or allegation without compliance with due process and other legal safeguards.

He specifically noted that describing the affected persons as ‘illegal miners’ could not, in itself, dispense with the constitutional and statutory safeguards governing arrest, detention and the treatment of persons in custody.

Ndamitso acknowledged the legitimate responsibility of law enforcement and security agencies to combat illegal mining and other criminal activities in Niger State, but stressed that such enforcement must be carried out within the limits of the Constitution and other applicable laws.

‘The fight against crime cannot be divorced from the obligation to protect human life and dignity,’ the NBA chairman said.

He also appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid actions capable of undermining the investigation or disrupting public order.

The chairman stated that the NBA remained ready, within the limits of its mandate, to support lawful efforts aimed at establishing the facts, protecting fundamental rights, securing justice for the deceased and their families, and ensuring appropriate remedial measures where necessary.

He reiterated that human life is sacred and that while liberty may lawfully be restrained, human dignity must never be extinguished.

Victorias City rolls out pest-tolerant sugarcane variety

The city government of Victorias in Negros Occidental has distributed PSR 03-171, a high-yielding and pest-tolerant sugarcane variety, to 50 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Barangay V to help farmers cope with the destructive Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI).

The high-quality cane points were turned over to the farmers on Thursday, Sept. 17, for field cultivation.

Philippine Sugar Research Institute (PHILSURIN) Director General Maria Regina Martin said Victorias City is the first local government to fund small sugarcane farmers, aiming to improve productivity and strengthen their crops against pests.

Martin said PSR 03-171 is more tolerant of RSSI and has shown minimal to no stunting, unlike other varieties affected by the pest.

‘Today, we celebrate more than the introduction of a new sugarcane variety. We celebrate the power of research, partnership, and hope,’ Martin said during the turnover ceremony. She said the variety was selected for its high yield potential, ease of cultivation and promising tolerance to RSSI, a major pest affecting sugarcane production.

Martin said seven other local government units-Sagay, Cadiz, Manapla, EB Magalona, Silay, Talisay and Murcia-have also started establishing seed farms in preparation for the coming crop year and to replace RSSI-affected varieties.

‘Research only achieves its true purpose when implemented on the ground,’ Martin said, adding that the value of a new variety is realized through improved harvests and better livelihoods for farming families.

She thanked Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and the provincial government for supporting efforts to bring agricultural innovations to farmers.

‘The cane points you received are more than planting materials – they are a promise of opportunity, a stronger foundation for better harvests, and a more sustainable future,’ Martin told the farmer-beneficiaries.

The partnership between Victorias City and PHILSURIN was initiated under former Mayor Javier Miguel Lopez Benitez, now a representative, and has continued under Mayor Abelardo Bantug III.

Generals Storm Kano As Military Spokesman Gives Daughters In Marriage

A cross-section of serving and retired generals, on Saturday, joined the spokesman of the military high command, Samaila Uba, a Major-General, while giving out his two daughters in marriage.

The programme (Wedding Fathia), which commenced at about 11:02am at Alfurqan Mosque located at Alu Avenue, Nasarawa G. R. A., Kano, had top echelons from the three services – Navy, Army and Air Force in attendance.

Daily Trust reports that both the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abass were represented at the ceremony.

While the CDS was represented by the Chief of Defence Training at Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, the CNS was represented by Head of the Logistics College in Kano, Commodore Abubakar Madawaki. A former spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Sani Kukasheka Usman, a retired Brigadier-General; Navy Captain L. Abdulkadir, the spokesman of Nigerian Navy Holdings and other senior military officers were in attendance.

While the first daughter, Sadiya Ismail Uba was given to Abdulhamid Magaji Bako, the second daughter, Dr Aisha Ismail Uba was handed over to Dr Ibrahim Ali Umar.

Expressing joy, Maj.-Gen. Uba said he was excited to have given out two daughters in marriage, while appreciating God and all attendees for making the programme worthwhile.

‘I’m very happy to witness today, which is the occasion of Wedding Fathia for my two daughters. I give thanks to Allah for sparing my life to witness this day.’

‘I also appreciate bosses, my mentors, my colleagues and my junior for gracing this occasion. May Allah continue to bestow more goodness upon everyone of us,’ the Kano-born senior military officer said.

Earlier, the Chief Imam of Alfurqan Mosque, who joined the couples at a private session, prayed for the families of General Samaila Mohammed Uba and Late Magajin Rafin Ringim as well as Alhaji Bako Babura.

The occasion also featured entertainers, who thrilled the guests at Ten to Ten Restaurant, venue of the reception.