By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has congratulated the Roman Catholic Church on the election of Pope Leo XIV. This significant milestone brings joy to Catholics worldwide, and CAN joins in celebrating this momentous occasion.This was contained in a statement issued by CAN and signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja.

Archbishop Okoh described the emergence of Pope Leo XIV signifies renewal and hope for the Catholic Church. He added that CAN is confident that the new Pontiff will advance peace, justice, and inclusiveness, continuing the legacy of his predecessors.He said, CAN prays that Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate be blessed with wisdom, good health and strength to lead God’s people on the path of righteousness. May God guide and strengthen him in his ministry.

President Bola Tinubu has bagged the Lifetime African Achievement award from the Millennium Excellence Foundation based in Ghana.Tinubu while receiving the award commended patron of the Foundation, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, for the invitation extended to him and the success of the event put together by the Foundation.

The president represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, received the award as special guest of honour during the 25th anniversary of the Millennium Excellence Prize, in Kumasi, Ghana. Tinubu said, “I salute the visionaries who have nurtured this institution for a quarter of a century and also celebrate the values of honour, integrity, service, and excellence that underpin its work.“Specifically, the organisers for identifying and celebrating Africa’s shining lights, individuals whose lives and work had lifted the continent and inspired generations.“It is no small achievement to have honoured such illustrious figures as the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Prof. Wole Soyinka, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Dr Mo Ibrahim, among others.”He charged the young generation of Africans to rise with courage towards contributing their quota in making the African continent a more united, peaceful and prosperous one.He emphasised the need for such contribution to be carried out in the area of science, technology, education, governance, entrepreneurship and arts.He further called on Africans to always work closely together in shaping their shared destiny, while urging the event organisers to continue to inspire excellence, uphold values of leadership with service and invest in the youth to foster collaboration across borders.“The award ceremony had from inception in 1988 remained a beacon of inspiration and recognition across the continent.“It’s mission of identifying, celebrating and supporting those who had distinguished themselves in the pursuit of African development resonated deeply with the aspirations of Nigeria and indeed, all African nations,” he added.The event featured presentation of the Lifetime African Achievement Prize to Tinubu, the global intra-African trade excellence in Africa to the President/Chairman, African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM), Dr Benedict Oramah.Also, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, received the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize for Governance and Public Service, the Founder/Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, received African Excellence in Business, while Mr Dumo Lulu-Briggs, received African Traditional Leadership and Business Excellence award. (NAN)

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

Cocoa allottees in Cross River State’s Abonita Government Estate have demanded immediate withdrawal of soldiers allegedly deployed to the area to intimidate and harass them.

The allotees made demand during an interactive session with journalists at the weekend in Calabar

They called on the Chief of Defense Staff Christopher, Gen.

Musa to withdraw the soldiers giving security to a cocoa merchant in the area by name Mbu Liku

The allotees who include, Joseph Ekong, Pastor Duke Njor, Ekuri Boniface, Nic Ntui,Clement Isong-Amba, Pastor Etta Roland among others alleged that  soldiers had on several occasions assaulted and harassed them.

Nic Ntui, who spoke on behalf of allottees, claimed that the soldiers, reportedly accompanying a cocoa merchant Mbu Liku, have been preventing them from accessing their cocoa  plots which they legitimately paid money into coffers of the state government.

Ntui alleged that armed soldiers usually stormed the estate, chasing them away, intimidating them, allowing Mbu Liku to harvest cocoa.

“There’s already an existing ruling in suit No: HM/73/2020. And Dismissal in Suit No:HC/MSC 24/2024. An action by way of prerogative orders of mandamus and prohibition,” Ntui maintained.

Recall that there are ongoing disputes over land ownership and allocation at the Abonita axis of the estate, with court cases pending in various jurisdictions.

The affected farmers pray that the ongoing investigation by the military high command be thorough so that the officers involved in deployment of errant soldiers into the farms can be fished out.

The Abonita Cocoa Estate has been a point of contention, with the Cross River State government facing challenges in managing the estate.

Meanwhile an update by the state security Adviser (SSA), to Cross River state, retired Maj. Gen. Okoi Obono, after his April 12, 2025 visit to Abonita çocoa estate to ascertain the veracity of claims by the allotees stated that soldiers at Achufa, Ajassor Mission and Etomi check points were those used by Mbu Liku to intimidate allottees.

The Security Adviser’s update sighted by our correspondent recommended that officers detailing  troops to Mbu Liku should be re-deployed and warned, and ensure that soldiers attached to Mbu Liku be withdrawn immediately.

A letter from O. N Agbor & Co Legal Practitioners dated April 4, 2015, signed by S.O Ijeoma Esq, also alledged intimidation, arrest and torture of their clients who are allottees at the Cross River cocoa Estate.

The letter addressed to Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Armed Forces Complex Area 7 Garki- Abuja, urged soldiers to stop aiding Mbu Liku to intimidate their clients who are small holders’ scheme in the cocoa value chain in Cross River State.