Rev. Dr. Dunka Gomwalk has emerged as the new Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State Chapter, following a successful election and inauguration ceremony held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Usiju World Event Center, Jos.
Dr. Gomwalk, who was returned elected, will serve a five-year term alongside other newly inaugurated executive members.
In his acceptance speech, Rev. Dr. Gomwalk expressed deep gratitude to the leadership and members of CAN at the national, zonal, and state levels for the confidence reposed in him and his team. He pledged to uphold the legacy of unity, faith, and service built by his predecessors.
“I accept with a great sense of responsibility the call to service and stewardship as Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Plateau State. CAN on the Plateau has a rich legacy of seasoned leaders who have tirelessly built the association over the years to where it stands today,” he said.
He also extended appreciation to the national leadership of CAN, particularly His Eminence, Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Okoh, for the opportunity to serve, while acknowledging the efforts of the outgone executive members who guided the association through the transition period following the death of the late Chairman, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo.
Dr. Gomwalk commended the dissolved Electoral College for ensuring a smooth and credible election, as well as delegates from all blocs at the state and local government levels for their trust. He assured that the new leadership will uphold integrity and transparency in the discharge of their duties.
In his remarks, the outgoing Acting State Chairman, Pastor Kilyobas Buba Yunana, congratulated the new executives and urged them to work together in unity for the progress of the association.
“The incoming EXCO are very competent. I urge everyone to have trust in them and support their leadership as they move CAN forward,” Pastor Yunana stated.
The late Rev. Fr. Polycarp Nengak Lubo, whom Rev. Dr. Gomwalk succeeds, passed away in June 2025 following complications from injuries sustained in an accident. Fr. Lubo, a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, was widely celebrated as a voice for peace, justice, and interfaith harmony on the Plateau.
Other newly inaugurated executive members include:
Rev. Dr. K. Saleh – Vice Chairman
Pastor Simon Julius Arabo – Secretary
Rev. Fr. Timothy Dabot – Assistant Secretary
SP (AP) Williams Oresanya – Treasurer
The inauguration ceremony drew CAN national and zonal leaders, clergy, and delegates from across Plateau State, marking a new chapter for the association.
The agency disclosed this in an update posted on its official X account on Saturday, noting that both individuals had been isolated while contact identification and listing were ongoing.
“Laboratory testing is being conducted,” the NCDC said, adding that being classified as suspected cases does not mean the individuals have Ebola, as confirmation depends on laboratory results.
The agency urged Nigerians to maintain good hand hygiene, practise enhanced sanitation and follow guidance from public health authorities.
The development comes 11 days after Nigeria confirmed its first case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
The NCDC is yet to provide specific details on the states where the suspected cases were identified. In its post on X, the agency said, “Further updates will be provided as verified information becomes available.”
The NCDC Director-General Jide Idris in a post on Linkedin said contact tracing is also taking into account recent movements within the country to ensure all contacts are identified and monitored.
“We urge the public to avoid speculation or the spread of unverified information. Instead, we encourage everyone to reinforce basic but critical hygiene practices: frequent handwashing, use of alcohol-based sanitisers, and seeking immediate care at designated facilities if unusual symptoms arise,” Mr Idris noted.
Nigeria, regional outbreak
Nigeria is one of five countries that have detected Bundibugyo virus disease during the current outbreak, which began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in May.
The outbreak has remained concentrated in the DRC but has spread beyond the country.
Nigeria’s first confirmed caseof Ebola in 2026 was a woman who travelled from Uganda to Abuja and tested positive on 20 October. She was subsequently medically evacuated to Switzerland for continued treatment.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, had earlier said genomic analysis showed that the virus detected in the Nigerian patient was closely related to the strain identified in Kenya’s first imported case.
As of 28 October, WHO reported 10,274 confirmed cases and 4,992 confirmed deaths in the DRC. The agency also recorded nine confirmed cases and two deaths in Kenya, one confirmed case in Nigeria, 20 confirmed cases and two deaths in Uganda, and one imported case in France.
Overall, WHO reported 10,305 confirmed cases and 4,996 confirmed deaths across the affected countries.
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The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said Nigeria is collapsing under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Obi made the statement on Saturday at the ongoing town hall meeting in Imo State.
The former Anambra State governor lamented that insecurity and stealing of public funds have become normal.
He accused the Tinubu government of failing to secure lives and property, noting that Nigerians now live in fear in their own country.
He vowed that if elected, he would tackle insecurity head-on and stop the stealing of public funds.
"Everything under President Tinubu is collapsing. We have become more terrorised, and Nigeria is now number four. Tinubu no longer has the energy to govern. The greatest problem of this country is people stealing public money, and that cannot happen under my watch.
“If given the opportunity, Kwankwaso and I will unite this country and declare a state of emergency on insecurity," he stated.
Obi said Nigeria cannot continue like this and needs a leader who will secure the country and use public money for the people, not for a few individuals.