News
Faith, Integrity Best Legacy Parents Can Leave For Children — Kaigama
By Philomina Attah
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, says the greatest legacy parents can bequeath to their children is not material property, but strong values of faith, integrity, and the fear of God.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Director of Media and Public Relations, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Celestine Toruka, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.
Archbishop Kaigama stated this during a Requiem Mass held in honour of Late Chief Ezinne Opara at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja.
Late Opara, who passed away on May 7, 2026, at the age of 83, was the mother of Prof. John Kennedy Opara, the pioneer Executive Secretary of NCPC and Chairman of CSS Group of Companies.
Kaigama urged leaders across all sectors to serve humanity with humility and remain mindful of the transient nature of human existence.
”Christiana Opara lived well and reached the age of 83.
“The lesson I learnt from Mama Opara was to do good to others and that, as people do good to others, the world will become a better place,” Kaigama said.
The Archbishop noted that Prof. Opara remained an integral part of the Archdiocese of Abuja, stressing that “whatever affects him also affects the Archdiocese.”
He further extolled the virtues of Prof. Opara, commending his meritorious service under four Nigerian presidents as the founding head of the NCPC, as well as his current contributions to agricultural development as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CSS Global Integrated Farms.
Paying tribute to his late mother, Prof. Opara described her as a loving, dependable, and deeply religious woman who served as a pillar of strength for her children.
”She taught me the fear of God, the importance of relationships, and was a source of remarkable strength to me and my siblings.
“My mother meant everything to me because she taught me all that I have learnt and am able to do today.
“She taught me how to cook, how to love, and how to pray,” Opara said.
Also speaking at the event, the incumbent Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, highlighted his long-standing relationship with Prof. Opara.
Adegbite described Opara as a man committed to building upon the solid foundation and legacy established at the commission.
The Requiem Mass drew a prominent gathering of political leaders, diplomats, and senior clergy.
Among the dignitaries present were the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang; former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha; former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku; Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe; and former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen.
Others in attendance included the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman; the Senator representing Adamawa North, Rev. Amos Yohanna; the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; and the Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Anselm Umoren.
The remains of Late Chief Christiana Opara will be laid to rest on Aug. 7, 2026, at Umuopara Nguru Obetiti, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
JOS, PLATEAU STATE
September 15, 2026
Alfred Dapal Damiyal (ADD) has been affirmed as the Governorship Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Plateau State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Mwadkon Dung Vincent nominated as his running mate.
The affirmation took place on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the NDC State Secretariat in Jos, where delegates and stakeholders of the party gathered to reaffirm their confidence in Damiyal and his capacity to lead the party into the 2027 governorship contest. The exercise was supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), providing institutional oversight to the process.
During the gathering, Meadkom Dung Vincent was also nominated to serve as Damiyal’s running mate, giving the NDC a clear governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
The affirmation marks a significant milestone in Damiyal’s political journey and provides the NDC with a clear standard-bearer and running mate as the party begins to intensify its preparations, mobilisation and engagement with voters across Plateau State.
Damiyal’s emergence is anchored on his NEWTHINKING philosophy, which advocates a new approach to governance based on accountability, transparency, equity, inclusion, innovation, human-centred development and good governance.
His campaign maintains that Plateau State is at a crossroads and requires leadership capable of responding to contemporary challenges with contemporary solutions.
Damiyal has repeatedly emphasised the need for a fundamental change in the approach to governance, stressing that the state cannot make meaningful progress by relying on outdated methods to address modern problems.
“We cannot continue to apply analogue solutions to digital problems if Plateau is to make meaningful progress. We need a new way of thinking if we desire a new Plateau.”
With extensive professional experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, alongside his background in entrepreneurship and leadership, Damiyal’s supporters believe he brings a combination of professional experience and fresh ideas to the political contest.
His proposed agenda places strong emphasis on security, education, economic development, employment, agriculture, infrastructure, youth empowerment, innovation and accountable governance.
The NDC candidate’s campaign also seeks to build a broad-based movement across Plateau’s 17 local government areas, presenting NEWTHINKING as a platform for creating a safer, more united and prosperous state.
For his supporters, the 2027 election represents an opportunity for Plateau voters to make a deliberate choice about the future direction of the state and to demand leadership focused on development, competence and measurable results.
The affirmation by party delegates and stakeholders, under the supervision of INEC officials, on September 15 therefore marks the beginning of a new phase in the NDC’s campaign, with Damiyal and his nominated running mate, Meadkom Dung Vincent, positioned to take the party’s message directly to the people of Plateau State.
The central message of the campaign remains clear:
ADD — A New Direction. A New Standard. A New Plateau.
Signed:
ADD Media
Architect Felix Arome has assumed office as the Director-General of the Front Line Alliance Network (FAN), a political support group with structures across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT.
Arome, a former National Secretary of the Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria Group, formally took over leadership during a handover ceremony.
He thanked the founders of FAN for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to strengthen the group’s structures nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arome said FAN would work closely with political groups, individuals and organisations supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
He urged members to consolidate the network’s structures down to the local government level, stressing that responsibilities under his leadership would be based on capacity and performance rather than sentiments.
The new Director-General also assured members that their sacrifices and contributions towards building the organisation would be recognised and valued.
FAN had earlier endorsed President Tinubu for another term in office in the 2027 presidential election.
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