NEWS
Cleric Cautions Comedians Against Using Christianity for Jokes

An Abuja based cleric has cautioned both christian and non-christian comedians to refrain from using christianity or any other religion for entertainment.
Sarah Omakwu, Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre (FWC) in Abuja, gave the caution on Sunday in Abuja during her Bible teaching series on “How to Love God”.
Omakwu said that part of loving God is to reverence him and to defend the gospel of Jesus Christ and all He represents.
“Making jokes about christianity is provoking and a mockery to God and to those who believe in God, in Jesus and in Christianity.
“Comedians should stop using God’s words for comedy and other forms of entertainment.
“Comedians should stop throwing jokes about the word of God, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Communion, anointing oil, deliverance and powers.
“Christian comedians, especially, ought to be telling the world about God and not making Christianity look like a joke to those whom they ought to be evangelising to,” she said.
She cautioned christians to refrain from reposting ‘silly’ comedys about the gospel of Christ and about pastors and men of God.
According to her, most of the comedies are not funny, but silly and provoking to those who believe.
“If other religion do not joke about their religion, why should christians joke about theirs.
“Loving and knowing God include reverencing God, fearing him and honouring him both in words and in action.
“If comedians must tell jokes to entertain the people, they should use the things of the world to entertain the world.
“Christians should follow the examples of the three Hebrew boys in Daniel 3:16-18 in the Bible, who were ready to lose their lives in order to defend the gospel of Christ.
“Same thing with Daniel in the Bible who was thrown into the lions’ den.
“All these are examples that todays Christians should emulate,” she said.
Omakwu said that Christians must be intentional in defending the gospel, not in a way to incite or cause trouble but in a way that pleases God and to draw men to Him.
She noted that in an attempt to curb the attitude of telling Christian jokes which she considered to be provoking, a ban was placed from telling christian jokes on the church alter.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the cleric gave the caution against the back drop of a trending video where someone posing as pastor was seen warning a congregation not to destroy things while under any form of anointing or deliverance.(NAN)
Foreign News
Trump Tells Iran to Make Nuclear Deal ‘Before it is too Late’

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Iran to conclude an agreement with Washington on its controversial nuclear programme, amid a series of Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities and military leaders.
“There is still time to make this slaughter come to an end,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday.
“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire,” Trump continued.
“JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”Observers consider it unlikely that Iran’s leadership would opt for a diplomatic approach in light of the Israeli attacks.
Israeli media reported that Tehran had retaliated with an attack involving about 100 drones, all of which were shot down.
“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal,” Trump wrote.
“The U.S. makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come and they know how to use it,” Trump wrote. (dpa/NAN)
NEWS
Nigeria Condoles India over Tragic Plane Crash

The Federal Government on Thursday condoled the Indian government over the tragic crash of Air India Flight-171 in Ahmedabad.The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this in a statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of theMinistry.Tuggar said, “Nigeria expresses profound sorrow and extends its heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India over the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
“This devastating incident which claimed the lives of over 290 individuals has left the global community in mourning. “Nigeria stands in solidarity with India during this period of immense grief and unfortunate loss.“While initial reports indicate no Nigerian citizen was aboard the flight, the Nigeria High Commission in New Delhi remains in close contact with Indian authorities to verify this information and provide consular assistance where necessary.“In this moment of shared sorrow, Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to global aviation safety and supports the call for thorough investigation into the crash with a view to preventing such tragedies in the future.”The minister further commiserated with the families of the bereaved and all those affected by this tragic incident. (NAN)NEWS
Benue Speaker Advises Youth to Participate Actively in Politics

The Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh, has advised youths in the state to participate actively in the economic and political development of the country.Dajoh gave the advice in his Democracy Day message issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Terver Zamber, in Makurdi.
The speaker urged youths to show more interest in the economic and political development of the country. He said that they had the required education, exposure, and numerical strength to make a positive impact on both the economy and governance. Dajoh assured the youths that the assembly under his leadership would continue to enact laws to protect democracy and the rule of law.The speaker urged Nigerians to be more determined in ensuring that democracy worked in the country.He said that democracy remained the best option for the country.The speaker added that through the determination of the citizens and their active participation in the democratic process, Nigeria would be a great country.He saluted the heroic deeds of patriots who worked assiduously to actualise democratic rule in the country, especially the symbol of the June 12 struggle, the late M.K.O. Abiola.According to him, only a truly great, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria could be a befitting compensation for their sacrifices.He commended President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue for their roles in upholding democratic principles.Dajoh said that more sacrifices were required from the citizens to ensure that the country got the best of democracy. (NAN)