By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Monday, joins the rest of the world to mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who departed this life at the age of 88. This was contained in a statement issued by CAN, signed by Signed,Archbishop Daniel OkohPresident, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and made available to journalists in Abuja.

The CAN boss who spoke on behalf of the national leadership of CAN and the entire Christian community in Nigeria, he expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church and to all who held dear his extraordinary leadership and boundless compassion. He noted that Pope Francis was a towering figure of faith whose papacy radiated mercy, justice, and a profound love for humanity.And his legacy left an indelible mark on Nigeria, where he strengthened the Church by appointing Nigerian bishops and cardinals, affirming the vibrant faith of our people. “His unwavering commitment to interfaith dialogue brought hope for peace in our diverse nation, nurturing unity in the face of many challenges. His outspoken advocacy against poverty, corruption, and inequality deeply resonated with us, urging all to uphold the dignity of every Nigerian.”Though he never visited Nigeria, his pastoral journeys across Africa conveyed powerful messages of solidarity. His teachings in _Laudato Si’ and Amoris Laetitia_ enriched our spiritual lives, addressing vital issues such as environmental stewardship and the sanctity of family life. “As we bid farewell to this devoted servant of God, we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and for the Catholic Church in this time of transition. May the legacy of Pope Francis, rooted in compassion, justice, and humility, continue to inspire us as we strive towards a more united and righteous Nigeria”, he said.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Monday, said five persons died while 13 others were injured in a lone crash involving a truck on Billiri-Gombe Road in Gombe State.The FRSC Sector Commander in Gombe State, Mr Samson Kaura, confirmed this to the Newsmen in Gombe on Monday.

Kaura said that the crash occurred at 7:20a.m. on Monday at Tashan Gona in Billiri town of Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State. According to him, 18 persons were involved in the crash, comprising eight male adults and 10 female adults. He said out of the 18, five comprising two male adults and three female adults were killed while 10 female adults and three male adults sustained fractures and open wounds.Kaura said that the bodies of the deceased were taken to the General hospital in Billiri while the injured victims were taken to the General hospital, Amana, Lafiya clinic, Billiri, and Gombe Specialist Hospital respectively for medical attention.He said that the cause of the crash was speed violations, hence urged motorists to always maintain 30 km/h speed limit on built-up areas so as to reduce the impact of crash and casualties.Kaura said that the truck driver had been apprehended by the personnel of the Police in Billiri Division for prosecution.Also speaking to newsmen, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, the Police Public Relations Officer in Gombe State confirmed the crash.Abdullahi said that the crash created tension in Billiri but with the quick intervention of security personnel, the situation was brought under control.He said that the truck hit some persons who were part of the last batch coming from the Easter prayer ground to their various locations.He said that the truck which he said was loaded with grains was immediately set ablaze by residents of the area and attempt was made to kill the driver, but for the swift intervention of the police.“For now everything is calm and motorists are now plying the route and there is no cause for panic,” he said.(NAN)

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has condoled with the families of the four workers who lost their lives in a routine maintenance exercise at the Gubi Dam.The deceased, who were personnel of the Bauchi State Urban Water and Sewerage Corporation, died while clearing water supply channels at the Gubi Dam Water Treatment Plant.

They include Musa Ibrahim; Abdulmalik Ibrahim, Shu’aibu Hamza and Jamilu Yunusa. In a condolences message, Mohammed expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a moment of profound sadness to the entire state. “This devastating incident has cast a dark shadow over Bauchi State as we mourn the loss of these hardworking and committed public servants.“They died in the line of duty contributing to the essential task of ensuring clean water supply for people,” he said.The governor said the sacrifice and service of the deceased would never be forgotten, stressing that their legacy would continue to inspire all those who work tirelessly to build a better state.He prayed for the repose of their souls, and Almighty God grant the families the strength to bear the loss.Mohammed stressed the need for enhanced safety protocols and strict adherence to established guidelines in government and industrial operations.He also tasked workers to prioritise safety in their duties to prevent future occurrences.The governor said the state government has commenced investigation to unravel the cause of the accident, improve workplace safety and pledged support to the bereaved families. (NAN)