News

Fr. Mbaka Reappears, Accuses Bishop Calistus Onaga Of Being Responsible For His Disappearance

Following the reported disappearance of Enugu based fiery Catholic priest, Reverend Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), it has been reported that he has reappeared and has given insights into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

His disappearance followed his altercations with the Presidency since he called for the resignation of President Muhamadu Buhari over the alarming rate of insecurity in the country. He was then invited by the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, to the Bishop court as the latter sought to weld into the matter. However, nothing was heard for the Rev. Fr. after he informed his people that he had arrived at the Bishops’ court as his phones were switched off.

When Enugu Adoration faithful gathered for the usual Wednesday prayer which is usually led by Mbaka himself and he was nowhere to be found, they marched to the Bishops’ court in protest, demanding that Fr. Mbaka be produced. As the protest which eventually turned destructive took place, Fr. Mbaka appeared among the protesters’ and rode with them to his parish in a motocade.

Addressing what happened, the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN) said he was detained by the Bishop on his arrival at the Bishops’ court on Tuesday and was told he would be held for a month. He claimed that asides from his back and forth with the Presidency, another reason for his detention was his support for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Meanwhile, as tension mounted over the disappearance of the radical priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, fingers were also pointed at the Federal government as being responsible for his disappearance following his loggerheads with the presidency at the time of his disappearance. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide (OYC) had on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, issued a statement through the office of the President-General of OYC, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike. The statement read:

We have it on good authority that his aides have neither seen nor heard from him since Tuesday. Calls put to his mobile line have also remained unanswered; this has now prompted us to issue this alarm as we would not take it lightly should anything untoward happen to him.

We are giving the Federal Government 48 hours to produce the priest, else they should be ready to face Igbo youths. They were dining and wining with him all along and now that he told the truth, they are no longer comfortable with him.

Let nothing happen to Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka. It will not be in anybody’s interest.”

However, the Department for State Security, DSS, denied that they had anything to do with the “missing” Catholic priest when reached by journalists. The spokesman of the DSS, Peter Afunaya, was quick to allay fears that Fr. Mbaka was being held by operatives of the DSS.

When asked, he said: “Rev Fr Mbaka is not with the DSS. The DSS did not pick him up, please.”

News

NIMC Cracks down on Illegal NIN Centres after discovering Unauthorised Enrolment

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has arrested several illegal NIN operators and seized registration equipment in Gwagwalada. Officials warned Nigerians to avoid unapproved roadside agents to protect themselves against identity theft and extortion.

If you’ve ever been tempted to register your National Identification Number (NIN) through a roadside “agent” who promised to get it done faster, you may want to think twice. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has stepped up its fight against illegal NIN registration and unauthorised data modification, arresting several suspects during an enforcement operation in Gwagwalada and other locations.

The Commission said officers from its Inspectorate Compliance and Enforcement Unit (ICEU) carried out the operation seizing machines and other equipment allegedly used for illegal NIN enrolment.

According to NIMC, the crackdown is aimed at protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s National Identity Management System and stopping people from exploiting Nigerians through unauthorised registration and extortion.

The agency explained that many of the complaints and problems experienced by NIN holders often happen because some people choose to bypass the Commission’s approved registration process.

It reminded Nigerians that NIN enrolment can only be done at NIMC-approved enrolment centres, while changes to personal information, such as names, phone numbers or dates of birth, should only be made through the Commission’s official self-service modification platform.

NIMC also encouraged NIN holders to download the NINAuth mobile application from the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store. The app allows users to access extra security features, print their NIN slips, and manage other identity-related services securely.

Reaffirming the agency’s position, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the Commission has no room for extortion or unethical practices.

She said the Commission remained committed to providing “seamless and hitch-free NIN enrolment services” for Nigerians and legal residents. The Commission urged members of the public to avoid unofficial registration centres and use only approved channels for NIN enrolment and related services.

It also advised Nigerians to visit its official website and verified social media platforms for accurate information and updates, warning that dealing with unauthorised operators could expose them to fraud, identity theft and invalid records.

News

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru to be buried in Imo State

The family of late Nollywood actor Francis Duru has released details for his final burial rites. Services of songs will be held in Abuja and Imo State before he is laid to rest on December 11, 2026. The family made the announcement in a statement shared on the actor’s official Instagram page on Monday, November 2, inviting relatives, friends, colleagues and well-wishers to join them in honouring his life and legacy.

According to the announcement, a service of songs will be held on Wednesday, November 25, at 5 p.m. at Family Worship Centre, Idris Gidado Street, Wuye, Abuja. A second service of songs is scheduled for Thursday, December 10, at the late Pa Theophilus Ogide Duru’s family compound in Okai, Eziama, Isiala Mbano, Imo State.

The funeral and interment will follow on Friday, December 11, at the same family compound.

The statement, signed by the actor’s son, Ebuka Duru, and sister, Anthonia Chenyi, described him as a cherished husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.

The family also expressed appreciation to those who had supported them with prayers, calls, messages, and other gestures since his death. The statement read, “A remarkable life, a beautiful legacy, a star that will never stop shining. Though our beloved Chief Francis Duru has taken his final bow, his memories will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.”

The family added that the love and support received throughout the difficult period had been a source of strength as they prepared to give the actor a final farewell.

News

Pastor Jimmy Odukoya remarries years after his first marriage ended

Pastor Jimmy Odukoya has remarried years after his first marriage ended, introducing his new wife, Mo Jasyme, to The Fountain of Life Church congregation during a Sunday service in Lagos. Pastor Jimmy Odukoya has found love again, more than a decade after marrying his first wife, Oluwakemi Sade Banjoko, with whom he shares two children.

The senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, introduced his new wife, identified as Mo Jasyme, to his congregation during Sunday service on November 1, 2026. The announcement came a day after Odukoya sparked curiosity on social media by sharing a photograph of two hands wearing wedding rings with the caption, “To New Beginnings.”

His followers, especially popular celebrities like Broda Shaggi, Ifedayo Agoro and Bisola Aiyelola, congratulated him.

Standing beside his wife in church, Jimmy spoke about how he had been navigating life alone since taking over the leadership of the church following his father’s death. He then introduced her to the congregation as his wife and the church’s new first lady.

The couple subsequently knelt before Pastor Tunde Bakare, the General Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, who prayed for and blessed their union.

Before his new marriage, Odukoya was married to Oluwakemi Sade Banjoko, popularly known as Kemi. The couple married in London on March 9, 2013, after meeting in Lagos in 2011. They eventually welcomed two children together before their marriage ended in separation.

Interestingly, their relationship began at Ooh La La, a restaurant in Ikeja, Lagos, when Kemi accompanied her cousin to meet Jimmy and a mutual friend.

In a 2013 interview with ThisDay, republished by YNaija, the couple opened up about their courtship ahead of their wedding. Jimmy recalled that although he initially paid more attention to Kemi’s cousin, they eventually started talking at another family gathering.

Their conversations became so frequent that they sometimes spoke from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m.Interestingly, Kemi revealed that Jimmy did not initially tell her he was a pastor. When he eventually disclosed it, she reportedly went silent for about 30 seconds.

Jimmy also recounted how he proposed to her in London, using a sweet wrapper to playfully ask her to marry him before revealing the actual engagement ring.

However, their marriage eventually came to an end. Pastor Jimmy Odukoya’s new wife is Mo Jasyme, a designer and creative entrepreneur who is now known as Pastor Mo Odukoya.

Mo was previously married to British-Nigerian music producer Mosadoluwa Adegboye, popularly known as itsMOSA. The former couple reportedly collaborated on several creative projects during their relationship.

Mo made her first public appearance as Jimmy’s wife at The Fountain of Life Church on November 1, 2026, where she described it as an honour to stand alongside her husband.