By Felix Umande

The Catholic Bishop of Gboko, Most Rev. William Avenya, has ordered the indefinite closure of four Catholic institutions in Ihugh, Benue State, and withdrawn pastoral agents following repeated attacks, arson and insecurity.

The decision, contained in a letter and decree dated October 12, takes immediate effect and affects St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Center and St. Winifred Parish, Ihugh.

In the pastoral letter, Avenya described the withdrawal as painful but necessary to protect lives, stressing it was not motivated by anger or retaliation.

“The Church cannot, in conscience, continue to expose her Priests, Consecrated Persons, Teachers, Medical personnel, Students and Patients to danger,” he said.

The bishop cited repeated disturbances including the burning of student hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School on October 28, 2025, May 10 and 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026, recurrent burglaries at St. Winifred Parish and criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital. He recalled that during the reopening of the hospital on June 21, 2024, some persons displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding that Reverend Sisters leave Ihugh.

Avenya said the Diocese had engaged the host community, traditional rulers, elders and security authorities to find lasting peace, but without security guarantees.

The decree directs the withdrawal of priests, consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers and lay mission partners, while teaching and non-teaching staff, medical personnel and administrators are to be redeployed through appropriate diocesan offices.

It also orders safeguarding of diocesan property, transfer of parish registers and archives to the diocesan archives, and reverent removal of the Blessed Sacrament, sacred vessels and other sacred objects under supervision.

The bishop said arrangements would be made to minimise impact on students, patients and staff. Students are to be assisted to continue education in other Catholic schools in the Diocese, while patients at St. Thomas Hospital will be referred to other facilities, especially those needing urgent care. Affected staff, he said, would be treated with justice and charity.

Addressing Catholics in Ihugh, he declared:

“To our Catholic faithful in Ihugh: do not lose heart. Your Baptism is not lost with a building, nor is your faith diminished by the closing of a door.”

He appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, youth leaders, government and security agencies to restore peace and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice, adding that return is conditional on genuine repentance, restitution and credible assurances of safety.

“This decision is a painful one, but it is not a final farewell,” he said.

Avenya called for intensified prayers for peace and designated Friday, October 23 as a day of prayer and fasting for peace and reconciliation.

Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, today at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, presented the Company’s 2025 Audited Financial Statement (AFS) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Ojulari, who was accompanied by the Company’s Group Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Dapo Segun, presented the statement, which delivered impressive results that include ₦7.2 Trillion Profit After Tax (a 33% rise compared to ₦5.4 Trillion in 2024), ₦5.8 Trillion dividend and ₦34.5 Trillion revenue.

On 29th September, 2026, NNPC Ltd announced its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2025, following its Annual General Meeting and second Earnings Call with financial and business analysts.

The results highlight the Company’s growing earnings strength and improved operational performance, laying the foundation for future growth.

The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA), Dr. Eferebo Sylvanus has been honoured with the Maritime Innovation and Technology Leadership Award at the 15th Democracy Heroes Award Africa.

Eferebo received the honour at the ceremony held at the weekend at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, in recognition of his professional leadership and contributions to marine engineering, naval architecture and maritime technology.

The award comes amid growing calls for Nigeria to harness its maritime resources through indigenous expertise, technological advancement and research-driven industrial development.

The Democracy Heroes Award Africa, now in its 15th edition, recognises individuals making contributions across different sectors.

Eferebo’s recognition places a spotlight on a specialised but strategically important profession whose impact extends beyond engineering into industrial development and the wider blue economy.

As Nigeria continues to explore new opportunities in maritime trade, offshore energy and shipbuilding, the challenge will be ensuring that professional recognition is matched by sustained investment in research, infrastructure, training and the practical application of homegrown technology.

With more than two decades of experience in engineering consultancy and technical leadership, Eferebo leads NIMENA, a professional body committed to advancing marine engineering through research, education, technical standards and industry collaboration.

His academic background includes a Bachelor of Technology in Marine Engineering, a master’s degree in Naval Architecture and Ship Construction, and a doctorate in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding from Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

Beyond his professional credentials, Eferebo has built a career around developing technical solutions for Nigeria’s maritime and offshore industries.

He is the founder and chief executive officer of Somatrix Marine Limited, an engineering consultancy involved in marine consulting, ship design, marine surveys, construction management and research and development.

His leadership extends to engineering regulation and policy development, including work on maritime engineering standards and local content development.