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Nelson Mandela honoured in Ecumenical Centre
GENEVA – Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty, permanent representative of South Africa to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, recalled his friend and former president Nelson Mandela in a memorial service on 16 December at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva.
The service of prayer, remembrance and thanksgiving for Mandela’s life was sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and led by participants from the WCC, ACT Alliance, Conference of European Churches, Lutheran World Federation, World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Student Christian Federation and the World YWCA.
In welcoming remarks, WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit noted that the ecumenical movement as a whole lent support to Nelson Mandela and the anti-apartheid movement for many decades. Tveit and other religious leaders from throughout the world travelled to South Africa over the past ten days, praying with the family and nation.
“In a remarkable way, Mandela gathered the whole world to celebrate the best and shared values of human beings, also in the moment of his death. This was a miracle in itself, a new sign of hope he gave to the world,” he said.
Tveit recalled the challenge issued by Archbishop Desmond Tutu at last week’s memorial celebration in a Johannesburg stadium, “Do you commit yourselves to the values of Nelson Mandela?”
“None of us can be like him,” said Tveit. “But we can follow him. We all can learn from him.”
Dr Agnes Abuom of Kenya, newly elected moderator of the WCC Central Committee, recalled Mandela as “the model and epitome of the full liberation we seek.” She compared him to Joseph in the biblical book of Genesis, capable of forgiving those who had sold him into decades of slavery. Even so, “supporting Nelson Mandela was not always fashionable.”
Abuom said that “Mandela was a gift from the continent of Africa to the whole world”, attracting heads of state and government from more than half the nations and providing once again the sense of “a new global consciousness”.
Ambassador Minty said that the Ecumenical Centre service on Monday 16 December happened to fall on a South African holiday, the Day of Reconciliation. This year, a monumental statue of Mandela is being unveiled in South Africa.
Minty was a schoolboy when he first met Mandela in the 1950s. He reminisced him, both as a great leader and as a person with genuine concern for all people he met.
He paid tribute to the many individuals, communities and institutions that struggled against apartheid over many years. He offered thanks in particular to the “very, very prophetic role” played by the WCC and its Programme to Combat Racism (PCR). He praised church leaders, including former WCC general secretary Philip Potter, the first PCR director Baldwin Sjollema, as well as Archbishop Desmond Tutu who chaired the national Truth and Reconciliation Commission during Mandela’s presidency.
Minty also honoured the memory of Archbishop Trevor Huddleston from the Church of England, “a lifelong friend to Nelson Mandela” who “played a kind of Gandhian role” in the anti-apartheid movement.
Minty concluded, “We all have the responsibility to answer for ourselves how we can take up the legacy that Nelson Mandela leaves us with. And how can we all live up to that great legacy and create or turn hope into reality?”
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Obi Calls for Tinubu’s Resignation Over ‘Failure in Governance’ After UK PM Exit
Former presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign over what he described as “failure in governance,” drawing comparisons with political accountability in other democracies following the resignation announcement of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, Obi said he had followed Starmer’s resignation speech and reflected on what he described as the importance of leadership responsibility in democratic governance.
ALSO READ: UK PM Keir Starmer Resigns
“As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development,” Obi said.
He noted that Starmer’s decision followed growing public dissatisfaction over economic challenges, rising cost of living, and unmet campaign promises in the United Kingdom.
Obi then drew parallels with Nigeria, recalling that before the 2015 general elections, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had repeatedly called on then-President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over insecurity.
“During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives,” Obi stated.
He also referenced campaign promises made by Tinubu during the 2023 elections, including commitments to improve electricity supply, tackle corruption, and enhance the welfare of Nigerians.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments,” Obi said.
According to him, conditions in the country have since deteriorated, with persistent power shortages, worsening insecurity, and deepening economic hardship.
“At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased,” he added.
Obi further argued that other sectors, including infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, had also suffered setbacks, insisting that Nigeria is currently in “the worst possible condition.”
The opposition figure therefore called on President Tinubu to step down, saying such a move would promote accountability in public office.
“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance,” Obi said.
He added that resignation would help foster “a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility” and reinforce the idea that “public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement,” stressing the need for what he called “a New Nigeria that is possible.”
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Ex-IGP Usman Alkali Baba Joins Yobe Governorship Race, Vows to End Insurgency
Former Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Yobe State, promising to tackle insecurity and rebuild the state’s economy.
In a statement released Tuesday following a consultation meeting in the state, the retired police chief said his ambition is driven by a desire to restore peace, strengthen institutions, and accelerate development across all sectors.
Alkali pledged to “wipe out insurgency” and revive economic activities disrupted by years of insecurity, noting that his administration would prioritise intelligence-driven security and community partnerships.
“My vision for Yobe State is clear. I want a state where security is strengthened through intelligence and community partnership. I want a state where farmers can return to their farms with confidence, traders can move freely, and children can go to school without fear,” he said.
The former police boss emphasised his experience in national security management, stating that his years in public service have equipped him with the discipline and strategic thinking needed to govern effectively.
According to him, Yobe State requires leadership that understands security, institutional coordination, and human development, adding that insecurity has significantly hindered growth and deepened poverty in the region.
He also outlined plans to boost agriculture, expand infrastructure, and invest in education and youth empowerment. Alkali promised to provide microcredit support for women and equip young people with technical skills and startup kits to drive commerce and industry.
On healthcare, he pledged to combat child-killer diseases, including polio, and introduce free maternal healthcare services, as well as free medical care for children aged zero to five.
“Mothers will not die during childbirth, and children will live and thrive. They will go to school and graduate in a safe and secure environment,” he assured.
Alkali further stated that his administration would focus on inclusive governance, ensuring development reaches all local government areas without discrimination.
While expressing readiness to build on the achievements of the current administration, he maintained that governance must go beyond rhetoric and propaganda, stressing that it requires “vision, action, and the courage to make tough decisions.”
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Bayern Won’t Sell Olise Even for €200m — Rummenigge Drops Bombshell
Bayern Munich have made a strong statement over the future of winger Michael Olise, with Vice-President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisting the club would reject even a €200 million offer for the player.
The comments, reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Monday, highlight Bayern’s long-standing policy of prioritising sporting stability over financial gain.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Chelsea Hit With £10.75m Fine, Transfer Ban
Rummenigge explained that the club’s position is rooted in a historic decision made in 2009, when Bayern received a massive bid from Chelsea for Franck Ribéry.
After internal discussions involving then CFO Karl Hopfner and former president Uli Hoeneß, the club chose to reject the offer — a decision that shaped its modern transfer philosophy.
According to him, that principle remains unchanged today.
He stressed that Bayern do not consider selling players who are essential to the team, adding that even a record-breaking €200 million bid would not change their stance on Olise.
The statement is expected to fuel further transfer speculation across Europe, but Bayern officials maintain that Olise is a key part of their long-term sporting project and not for sale.
Bayern Munich continue to uphold their “untouchable players” policy, while Michael Olise remains central to their squad plans.





