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President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel Oladele, has urged fellow Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration ahead of next year’s general election.

He said some of the economic reforms the Tinubu administration is implementing may be very painful in the ‘short term’ but could produce positive results in the long run with his re-election.

The renowned cleric spoke yesterday during the ongoing Pastors’ Conference of the CAC at Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.

The Nation reports that the event brought together thousands of pastors, apostles, and other church leaders across the country.

Oladele noted that leadership, especially one saddled with power, requires difficult decisions that might initially impose hardship on the people.

He said the outcome of such decisions should ultimately be measured by whether or not they improve the welfare and living conditions of the people.

The CAC cleric, who acknowledged the economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians following the removal of the fuel subsidy, asked fellow Nigerians to endure the pain temporarily.

‘I appeal that we should also endure, give them more time, provided that all we are going through will eventually result in smiles on the faces of Nigerian people,’ Oladele said.

The cleric said Nigerians should not lose hope over the current economic difficulties, appealing to them to give the government time to implement its policies and address some of the challenges confronting the country.

Oladele said: ‘I think it is not easy to rule or to be a leader. Sometimes, as a leader, you have to take certain measures that can be painful to people, provided that in the end, we are going to smile.

‘So, we are praying for those who are in government and wish them well. Whether or not the fuel subsidy should be removed, the government knows the nitty-gritty of this.

‘We know that there is hardship everywhere, but when a woman is pregnant, do you think giving birth to a baby is easy? Consider the pain and everything she has to endure until that baby is born.’

The CAC president also said decisions concerning fuel subsidy were complex and better understood by those responsible for running the government.

Oladele urged politicians and political leaders across the country to place the welfare of Nigerians above personal and political interests.

The cleric also appealed to those seeking to occupy or are occupying public offices to embrace righteousness, integrity, and piety to discharge their responsibilities.

According to him, political leadership should not be reduced to the pursuit of personal enrichment or self-interest, but should be directed towards improving the lives of citizens.

‘Let’s not allow the politicians in our country to be deluded into believing that they can govern without God.

‘God teaches us how to rule in righteousness and integrity, and how to take care of the people and ensure their welfare,’ Oladele said.

He advised the political leaders to draw lessons from the Bible in carrying out their responsibilities, saying the scriptures condemn corruption, self-aggrandisement and other practices that undermine good governance.

‘When you read the word of God, you will see that self-interest, personal aggrandisement and all sorts of evils that people commit while in office are condemned. The Bible will tell you, no, you can’t do that. So, let our politicians return to the Bible,’ the cleric said.

The CAC president said differences in political opinions should not be interpreted as a division within the Christian faith, stressing that people were created with different perspectives and convictions.

He urged the Christian community to respect legitimate differences of opinion while allowing God’s will to prevail.

‘God has wired us differently, and we cannot all think alike. So, some people can be for Tinubu, while others can also be against him. Everyone is free to take whichever side he or she thinks is suitable.

‘God has not made us a carbon copy of one another; so, there are bound to be differences in opinions and different shades of opinion. In the end, the will of God shall come to pass,’ the CAC President said.

Speaking on the purpose of the annual conference, Oladele said the gathering was designed to deepen the understanding of the Bible among pastors and other church leaders and strengthen their commitment to Christian service.

He described the Bible as God’s message to humanity, saying its teachings remain relevant to the challenges confronting individuals and society.

‘The Bible remains God’s message to man. Irrespective of your colour, your race, your religion or your social status, the Bible is God’s message to man,’ Oladele added.

According to him, the scriptures guide how to deal with the challenges confronting humanity and should remain central to the lives of Christians.

He pleaded with the Christians to return to the teachings of the Bible and allow its principles to guide their decisions, relationships and conduct in society.

The cleric announced that the CAC has about 14,000 ordained apostles, with the 2026 conference attracting more than 9,000 participants and approaching 10,000 as more delegates arrived.

He described the turnout as significant, noting that some ordained apostles and church leaders could not attend because of various commitments.

‘We have 14,000 ordained apostles in Christ the Holy Church, and the attendance was over 9,000, almost 10,000. We still expect more. Some may not be here for one reason or another, but the turnout is not unusual,’ Oladele said.

The annual conference featured biblical teachings, prayers, and discussions on Christian leadership, evangelism, moral values and the role of the church in national development.

Zamfara State Government said it will sustain its institutional capacity building initiative to achieve competency and professionalism in public service.

Zamfara State Head of Service, Shehu Baraya, announced this at his office during a brief ceremony marking the end of the Pre-Examination Refresher Course and examination for directors aspiring to become permanent secretaries.

The course was organised by the Office of the Head of Service, in collaboration with the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, at Government House, Gusau.

He thanked the Public Service Institute of Nigeria for its continuous partnership and professional support to Zamfara State Government.

During the ceremony, a sealed examination result was presented to the Head of Service by the Head of the PSIN team, Dr AbdulKareem Ishaq, for onward submission to Governor Dauda Lawal.

The exercise was the second organised in the last three years under Governor Lawal’s administration.

Present at the occasion were the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Dr. Usman Shehu Hassan, and the Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Human Resource Development, Barr. Suwaiba Ibrahim Barau, among others.

The wife of Zamfara State governor, Hajiya Huriyya Lawal, has won The Sun newspaper’s First Lady of the Year award for 2026.

This was announced by the management of the newspaper yesterday.

The Sun Publishing Limited is the publisher of Daily Sun, Saturday Sun, Sunday Sun, Sporting Sun, and thesun.ng.

The award was extended after a rigorous selection process by the

Board of Editors of The Sun Publishing Limited.

A statement by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the company, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, said the award will be formally presented to you at an elaborate ceremony on November 13, 2026, at the prestigious The Sun Awards in Lagos.

He said 2026’s award ceremony is coming earlier due to the general elections scheduled for January and February 2027.

As part of the process, a team led by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief will formally present the nomination letter to you on September 17, 2026.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded the final phase of its 2025 recruitment.

Shortlisted candidates have thus completed their documentation, physical fitness assessments, and medical screenings at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The two-week exercise, which started on September 7, ended on September 19, covering candidates across the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres.

The screening was conducted in batches to ensure an orderly process and reduce congestion at the centre.

Speaking on the outcome of the exercise, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said measures were taken to address gaps identified during the earlier phase, improve the screening process, and ensure greater efficiency.

‘We have put measures in place to reduce congestion and ensure a smoother process this week. The gaps identified last week have been addressed, and we do not expect them to recur this week,’ Onyeka stated.

The Customs chief emphasised the importance of discipline and responsibility among candidates.

Also, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and member of the coordinating team, Adamu Musa, stated that the exercise recorded significant improvements, with close to 3,000 candidates screened so far without any casualties.

He attributed the progress to the introduction of personalised screening forms containing the candidates’ records across the various assessment stages.

‘Any candidate who has been shortlisted has a form designed especially for him, unlike in the past where you came, they issued you a form, and then some people along the way went and even changed some of the records. These forms come with the candidates’ records, including their names and details for sports, medical, documentation, and the checklist of required items. So, once the candidate comes, you just verify what you already have from the system,’ Musa said.

The Deputy Comptroller stressed the essence of continuous manpower development to strengthen the service’s capacity to meet its evolving responsibilities in national security, border protection, and other services to the nation.

He said the growing demands on Customs underscored the need to continually improve its workforce.

Musa added that candidates would be evaluated based on criteria set by the NCS, including age, physical fitness, and drug screening.

The Deputy Comptroller explained that candidates who test positive for hard drugs, exceed the stipulated age limit, or have physical conditions that may affect their duties could be disqualified, subject to management’s final decision.

Musa urged candidates and other members of the public to verify recruitment information through the service’s official website and verified social media platforms to avoid fraudulent messages.

The Federal Government has launched an online discount shop designed to ease financial pressures on personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, veterans and their families by providing access to essential goods at discounted prices.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, who launched the platform in Abuja, on Thursday, September 24, said the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s broader welfare framework for serving and retired military personnel.

‘The welfare of those who serve the nation is a responsibility that extends beyond the provision of operational capabilities,’ Akume said.

‘A motivated and resilient Armed Forces is sustained by the assurance of the wellbeing of its personnel and their families.’

The SGF said the Federal Government recognised that initiatives aimed at improving access to essential goods and services and easing financial pressures were important components of a comprehensive welfare programme.

According to him, the Armed Forces of Nigeria Personnel Online Discount Shop, powered through the Zino platform, would leverage digital technology to give eligible serving and retired personnel convenient access to a range of goods at discounted prices.

Akume described the initiative as an example of how technology and strategic partnerships could be used to deliver practical benefits to citizens who had dedicated themselves to the service and security of the country.

‘The inclusion of veterans in this initiative, therefore, reflects an important principle of continuity in our responsibility to the Armed Forces family,’ he said.

The SGF commended Defence Headquarters and Zino Group for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), describing it as an ‘important framework for cooperation between the Armed Forces and the private sector in delivering a sustainable welfare intervention.’

‘As we launch this platform, I encourage Defence Headquarters and all stakeholders to ensure that its implementation remains transparent, reliable and responsive to the needs of the beneficiaries,’ Akume said.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said the initiative was an important component of the military’s welfare efforts.

He added that it was only the beginning of efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel, veterans and their families.

‘We are partnering with Zino, but we intend to bring other vendors on board. We are trying to interface with companies such as Dangote Cement so that personnel can have access to building materials and other essential goods that can make their lives better,’ the CDS said.

‘We also, at some point, intend to have physical shops where soldiers can walk in and access goods and services at highly discounted prices.’

The CDS urged personnel and veterans to make judicious use of the platform and called on those managing the scheme to continually improve its services.

He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for efforts to improve the welfare of the Armed Forces.

The Chairman of Zinox Group, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, described its partnership with the Armed Forces of Nigeria as its ‘contribution towards appreciating their sacrifices and dedication to national service.’

Represented by Zinox Group General Manager, Corporate Governance, Konga, Reginald Obiako, Ekeh said the online discount shop would enable personnel and their families to access a range of products at discounted prices.

‘We believe that those who serve and protect our nation deserve our support and appreciation. We are therefore pleased to partner in this initiative and look forward to its continued success,’ he said.

Ekeh congratulated the Armed Forces on the launch and expressed the company’s commitment to the success of the initiative.

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) secured a 2-0 victory over 10-man Katsina United in Match Day 5 of the NPFL, with goals from Ridwan and Qamar to seal all three points for the Oluyole Warriors.

Ridwan Olanrewaju’s well -placed header broke the deadlock in the 18th minute, giving Shooting Stars an early advantage as they looked to take control of the encounter. A second yellow card to Katsina United’s Captain Ahmed Kabir in the 59th minute left the visitors with an uphill task as they searched for a way back into the game.

3SC continued to press for a second goal after the restart, and their persistence paid off in the 71st minute when double substitute Akinola Damilola provided an assist to Qamar Adegoke who found the back of the net to double Shooting Stars’ advantage. The goal effectively put the game beyond Katsina United’s reach as 3SC held on to secure a 2-0 victory.

Shooting Stars continued to press for a second goal after the restart, and their persistence paid off in the 71st minute when double substitute Akinola Damilola provided an assist for fellow substitute Qamar Adegoke, who found the back of the net to double Shooting Stars’ advantage. The goal effectively put the game beyond Katsina United’s reach as 3SC held on to secure a 2-0 victory.

Reacting to the victory, 3SC coach Salisu Yusuf said the win was a morale booster for the team and expressed optimism that the club would secure a continental spot by the end of the season.

‘We’re glad. The points will give the team much confidence going into the next games. It is a good morale booster for us.

‘ We’re very optimistic to get the Continental ticket by the end of the season,’ he added.

3SC are currently ninth in the table with six points after Matchday 5, but have two outstanding games due to their participation in the CAF Champions League. They will travel to Delta State to face Warri Wolves on Sunday, September 27.

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has condemned what the organisation called the escalating insecurity across Nigeria.

It urged the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive measures to protect the citizens and vulnerable communities.

In a statement yesterday by its Secretary-General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the religious organisation expressed deep sorrow and concern over the continuing killings, abductions, terrorist attacks, banditry, cattle rustling and destruction of livelihoods across several parts of the country.

JNI particularly expressed worry that despite sustained military and security operations in different theatres, innocent Nigerians were being killed and abducted from their homes and highways, while many communities have been displaced and subjected to fear and psychological trauma.

The apex Islamic body in Northern Nigeria alluded to recent incidents in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Gombe, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau states, among others, as evidence of worsening insecurity confronting the country.

It noted that in Sokoto State, recent attacks resulted in deaths, injuries, abductions, and cattle rustling, even as security forces continued operations aimed at rescuing kidnapped citizens and disrupting terrorist activities.

JNI recalled that in one of the latest operations, troops reportedly rescued 23 kidnapped persons and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group.

The Islamic organisation expressed concern over continuing attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the Northeast, saying the groups continued to demonstrate the capacity to attack vulnerable communities and challenge security formations, thereby prolonging the suffering of populations that had endured years of insurgency.

JNI also raised concern over the spread of kidnapping and banditry for ransom across the Northwest and the Northcentral, where communities were increasingly exposed to ransom demands, illegal levies, cattle rustling, destruction of property and disruption of economic activities.

Of particular concern to the organisation was the reported death of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, following their arrest during an alleged illegal mining operation.

It noted that the circumstances surrounding the deaths were deeply disturbing and demanded the fullest transparency, while acknowledging the position of the authorities that the precise cause of death remained subject to investigation.

JNI welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to institute an independent investigation and suspend officers connected with the incident pending the outcome of the process.

The organisation, however, said the incident raised serious questions about the circumstances of the arrests, conditions of detention, access to medical attention, supervision of detainees, and how so many people lost their lives in state’s custody.

JNI also called for a transparent, independent, thorough, timely, and credible investigation, stressing that nobody found culpable should be shielded.

It cautioned against prejudging the outcome of the probe.

JNI also condemned the killing and abduction of innocent citizens, regardless of their ethnic, political, religious or geographical identity, saying there could be no justification for terrorism, kidnapping, destruction of homes and livelihoods, illegal levies, cattle rustling, sexual violence or the use of terror to displace citizens.

It also condemned terrorism, banditry, armed criminality, violent extremism and communal violence, including criminal activities allegedly masquerading as religious, ethnic or political grievances, stressing that Islam places the sanctity of human life beyond dispute.

JNI said the protection of citizens remained the cardinal responsibility of government and acknowledged the sacrifices being made by the Armed Forces, the police, NSCDC, the Department of State Services (DSS), Civilian Joint Task Forces (CJTF), vigilante groups, and other lawful security formations.

It called for improved coordination, stronger intelligence gathering, adequate equipment, effective border control, better welfare for security personnel and sustained operations against criminal and terrorist networks.

The organisation urged security agencies to move increasingly from reactive responses to intelligence-led preventive operations, including the dismantling of terrorist and bandit camps, disruption of their supply and logistics networks, stronger intelligence sharing and tighter control of Nigeria’s borders.

It also called for greater protection of vulnerable communities, schools, highways, places of worship and markets, as well as strengthened community-based intelligence and properly regulated local security arrangements.

JNI urged authorities to address the economic and social conditions that expose vulnerable youths to recruitment into criminal networks and called for lawful and humane enforcement against illegal mining.

It further demanded credible systems for monitoring detention facilities to protect persons in custody from abuse, neglect or avoidable deaths, while urging appropriate medical, psychological and social support for victims of kidnapping, terrorism and banditry after their release.

The organisation called on Muslims across Nigeria to intensify prayers, Istighfar, Qiyam al-Layl, Sadaqah and other acts of worship for divine intervention, urging Imams and Islamic organisations to devote portions of Friday sermons and congregational prayers to the security situation.

JNI prayed for the souls of those killed in terrorist attacks, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence, as well as for those still in captivity, the injured, displaced and traumatised, and the families of the 37 persons who died in NSCDC custody in Niger State.

The organisation said the frequency of attacks must not be allowed to become normalised, stressing that Nigeria could not sustainably develop when farmers could not safely access their farms, children could not attend school without fear and travellers could not confidently use highways.

JNI urged all relevant authorities to treat insecurity with the highest level of urgency, seriousness and national coordination, while praying for an end to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and bloodshed across Nigeria.