EVENTS
VATICAN PUBLISHES PROGRAMS FOR NINE DAYS MOURNING OF POPE FRANCIS
Following an ancient tradition, the Catholic Church will observe nine consecutive days of mourning, marked by Masses held in suffrage for the late Pope Francis.
While these Eucharistic celebrations are open to everyone, each day a different group is scheduled to participate—based on their connection with the Holy Father.
This diversity of groups reflects both “the scope of the Supreme Pastor’s ministry and the universality of the Church of Rome” (cf. Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, nos. 124–125).
The Cardinals present in Rome set the schedule for which of them will celebrate each Mass during their second General Congregation, held on Wednesday evening.
Nine days in suffrage
The first day of the Novemdiales will be marked by Pope Francis’ funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square at 10:00 AM.
In the following days, celebrants for the Novemdiales Masses will be as follows (all times are local time in Rome – GMT +2):
– Second Day: Sunday, April 27, at 10:30 AM in St. Peter’s Square. The Mass will be presided by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the group will be the employees and faithful of Vatican City.
– Third Day: Monday, April 28, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. Mass will be presided by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, and the group will be the Church of Rome.
– Fourth Day: Tuesday, April 29, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Chapters of the Papal Basilicas will be the group at the Mass presided by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican.
– Fifth Day: Wednesday, April 30, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside Mass, with the group being the Papal Chapel.
– Sixth Day: Thursday, May 1, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside the Mass, with the group being the Roman Curia.
– Seventh Day: Friday, May 2, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Mass will be presided by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, with the group being the Eastern Churches.
– Eighth Day: Saturday, May 3, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, will preside the Mass, with members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
– Ninth Day: Sunday, May 4, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals, will preside the Mass with the Papal Chapel group.

Only Cardinals will be allowed to concelebrate the Masses dedicated to the Papal Chapel on April 30 and May 4.
Credit: VaticanNews
EVENTS
Wike at 58: “You’re a Shinning Star in my Cabinet, Tinubu hails Wike.
President Bola Tinubu congratulates Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his birthday, December 13.
President Tinubu celebrates with the Minister and former governor of Rivers State, giving thanks to God Almighty for enriching him with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage.
The President describes Chief Wike as an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results.
President Tinubu acknowledges the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.
The President commends Chief Wike for his resilience, can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments.
President Tinubu thanks the Minister for his consistent efforts in delivering results and wishes him a happy birthday and strength to further his good work in the FCT.
“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.
“I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
December 13, 2025
EVENTS
Lady cries out after her brother was knocked down by keke on his way to early morning test at UniAbuja, faces possible leg amputation
A visibly distressed lady has cried out over a tragic accident involving her younger brother, a student of the University of Abuja.
According to her account, the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when students were struggling to get to school for a test allegedly scheduled around 5 a.m.
She explained that while her brother and a coursemate were trying to cross the road in front of the University of Abuja, a commercial tricycle (keke), reportedly driving against traffic, knocked them down.
As of the time she shared the video, her brother was said to be unconscious and already being prepared for surgery. Doctors, she stated, described his condition as critical, adding that there was a possibility his leg might have to be amputated.
The lady further claimed that although the tricycle rider was arrested, there were moves to release him, and that the school authorities had not reached out or offered any form of support since the incident.
She also revealed that the hospital initially rejected her brother due to the seriousness of his condition before eventually admitting him, while medical bills continued to pile up beyond what she could afford.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSLsOa4DNRv/?igsh=MWI5cjlsNnV0cW1hbA==
📹: TT/Teemhar1234
EVENTS
DSS Officers Seek VIP Escort Roles Amid Police Withdrawal, Stir Debate Over Security Reforms in Nigeria
In the wake of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police officers from providing personal security and escort duties for very important persons across Nigeria, some officers of the Department of State Services are reportedly lobbying influential Nigerians for redeployment as personal security details.
The move comes after the Nigeria Police Force pulled back thousands of officers from VIP protection duties to strengthen frontline policing and respond to escalating insecurity across the country. The withdrawal, championed by the presidency as part of broader security reforms, aims to free up police manpower for community protection and crime prevention.
According to multiple reports, some DSS operatives have approached high-profile individuals, offering their services as security escorts in the emerging vacuum created by the police exit. These approaches have raised eyebrows among security analysts and VIPs alike, as the DSS traditionally focuses on intelligence and national security rather than routine personal protection.
A handful of elite Nigerians told journalists that officers had visited their offices to request intervention with state directors for deployment as personal protectors, describing the assignments as desirable postings.
While the statutory mandate of the DSS does include the protection of certain national assets and persons, any deployment of officers for individual VIP security is subject to established operational protocols, sources stressed.
The shift has also triggered a surge in demand for private security services nationwide. Security companies report that requests for travel escorts and protective details have spiked since the police withdrawal, with many VIPs and travelers seeking alternative arrangements.
Lawmakers and public figures have weighed in on the reforms. Some members of the House of Representatives argue that Nigerian citizens should not be denied access to extra security if they desire it, suggesting a broader debate over security privileges and equity.
President Tinubu has defended the policy, reiterating that the withdrawal of police from VIP protection is intended to reallocate scarce resources toward combating kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. He has insisted there will be no reversal of the order, urging full compliance by security agencies.
As the debate continues, experts say the success of the reform will depend on how effectively security gaps are filled, whether by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, private security firms, or other authorized entities, and how well public safety is balanced with the security needs of public figures.
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI
