The Masses Advocate

​ -By our Reporter  BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to criminal elements following a horrific shooting that claimed the life of a young man right at the doorstep of the University of Benin (UNIBEN). ​A Brazen Assault on Public Safety ​The tranquility of Sunday was shattered when gunmen launched a daring, daylight attack near the university’s main gate. The victim was shot dead in a manner the Governor described as "brazen and cold-blooded"—a chilling act of violence that has left the local community in shock. ​In a statement released through his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Governor Okpebholo made it clear that his administration views the killing not just as a crime, but as a direct challenge to the state's authority. ​"The killing on a day regarded as sacred by many is an affront to human dignity and a threat to public safety," the Governor stated. "It is completely unaccep...

-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  ​Edo State is revving its economic engines as Skyewise Group announces plans to establish a state-of-the-art automobile assembly plant in the heart of the state. ​Dr. Elvis Abuyere, Founder and CEO of Skyewise Group, revealed that the decision was fueled by the investor-friendly climate fostered by Governor Monday Okpebholo . According to Abuyere, the administration’s SHINE Agenda has effectively turned Edo into a "preferred destination" for both local and international capital. ​Key Highlights of the Expansion ​After over a decade of dominating the Nigerian automobile retail market, Skyewise Group is shifting gears from sales to manufacturing. Here is what the project brings to Edo: ​ Local Manufacturing: Transitioning from 11 years of auto sales to a dedicated assembly plant based in Edo. ​ Youth Empowerment: A focus on building technical capacity and "financial competence" for the state's younger demographic. ...

-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  ​The Republic of Chad has entered a period of profound national mourning following a devastating string of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents that claimed the lives of 24 soldiers and two high-ranking generals.  The violence, which unfolded in the volatile Lake Chad Basin, has prompted President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno to declare three days of solemn remembrance as the nation grapples with the loss of those he termed "martyrs who fell in the field of honor."  The bloodshed began on Monday evening with a brutal assault on the Barka Tolorom military base, located on the Chadian shores of the lake, leaving nearly two dozen troops dead.  The tragedy deepened on Wednesday afternoon when a security patrol navigating the region's intricate network of islands fell into a sophisticated ambush, resulting in the deaths of two generals—a rare and significant blow to the military's leadership. ​This resurgence of violence comes as a bitter s...

​ - By Ruben Mario Brodrick ​The atmosphere at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Abudu was charged with spiritual fervor on May 9, 2026, as the Benin Provincial Evangelization Week reached a powerful crescendo.  Presided over by the Dean of Abudu Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. James Chima (Okosisi), the Thanksgiving Mass served as both a celebration of faith and a strategic launching pad for the divine mandate of spreading the Gospel.  The gathering brought together the faithful in a stirring conclusion to a week dedicated to outreach, emphasizing that the call to evangelize is not merely an option but a fundamental obligation for every believer. ​Delivering a potent message rooted in the Great Commission, Rev. Fr. Everest Nwankwo, Parish Priest of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Idokpa, drew from Mark 16:15 to remind the congregation of Christ’s direct command: "Go ye into the world and preach the Gospel."  Fr. Nwankwo stressed that this mandate is the prima...

-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  ​Standing at the heart of the Iguobazuwa Deanery on May 9, 2026, the Dean of Iguobazuwa Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Benjamin Brodricks brought the Benin City Provisional Evangelization Week to a stirring conclusion with a message that resonated far beyond the church walls.  Addressing an expectant assembly of priests, religious, and dedicated lay faithful from the CMO, CWO, and CYON, the Dean framed the week’s intense missionary efforts not as a finished task, but as the beginning of a radical shift in the Church’s identity.  He reminded the congregation that while the week was marked by sacrifice and prayer across various parishes and zones, its true success lies in whether the Church remains "in motion."  Drawing a direct parallel to the first reading of Acts, he highlighted how Paul and Timothy were not stationary figures but travelers who carried the Gospel into the heart of the unknown, insisting that the modern Church must likew...

​ -By Ruben Mario Brodrick  The streets surrounding the Holy Cross Cathedral on Mission Road became a vibrant mission ground as the Benin City Ecclesiastical Province successfully concluded its week-long Evangelization exercise.  Drawing participants from across the Province—including the Archdiocese of Benin City and the Dioceses of Warri, Issele-Uku, Auchi, Uromi, and Bomadi—the event served as a powerful reminder of the Great Commission.  In a spirited display of faith, evangelizers were organized into five distinct groups and dispatched from the Cathedral into the heart of the Benin City metropolis, engaging residents in their homes, offices, and shops to share the Gospel. ​During the Thanksgiving Mass that capped off the outreach, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Ashoro, CRS, the Archdiocesan Vicar for Religious, delivered a stirring homily that drew parallels between modern believers and the biblical missionary zeal of Paul and Barnabas.  Proclaiming that "we a...

-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  ​In a moving encounter that bridged the gap between contemporary youth and the pursuit of holiness, The Assistant Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Evbuoriaria, Benin City, Rev. Fr. Emanuel Ogude recently conducted a deeply impactful sensitization visit to the students and staff of Holy Child Christian Academy in Okabere.  Centered on the luminous life and virtues of the late Vivian Ogu, the visit served as a spiritual wake-up call, utilizing the Vivian Ogu story booklet to weave a narrative of extraordinary grace found in an ordinary life.  Fr. Emanuel who is also a promoter of the Vivian Ogu Movement, masterfully brought Vivian’s story to life, painting a vivid picture of a young girl who balanced her earthly responsibilities with a heavenly focus, emphasizing her exemplary commitment to purity, academic brilliance, and her tireless dedication to both God and humanity. ​The atmosphere in the hall was one of profound ref...

​ -By Ruben Mario Brodrick  ABUJA — In a dramatic legislative U-turn, the Nigerian Senate has scrapped a newly minted rule that would have restricted the race for the Senate Presidency to "veteran only" lawmakers. The move, which comes just days after the rule was first introduced, marks a significant victory for political newcomers and ambitious heavyweights eyeing the 11th National Assembly leadership. ​ The Rule That Sparked the Fire ​Earlier this week, the Senate amended its Standing Orders to stipulate that only senators who had served at least two consecutive terms could qualify for the positions of Senate President or Deputy Senate President. ​The amendment was widely viewed as a "protectionist" move by the current leadership to: ​ Gatekeep Power: Effectively locking out first-term senators or returning former governors from top spots. ​ Secure the 2027 Succession: Narrowing the field of candidates to a small pool of long-serving inside...

​ -By Ruben Mario Brodrick  The world has lost one of its most audacious pioneers. Ted Turner, the swashbuckling billionaire who tore up the rulebook of modern broadcasting and taught the world to watch news in real-time, has passed away at the age of 87. Turner, who famously disclosed his battle with Lewy body dementia in 2018, leaves behind a legacy that is etched into every glowing screen across the globe. ​Long before the internet made instant information a commodity, Turner had a "crazy" idea: news shouldn’t have an expiration date or a bedtime. In 1980, against a tide of industry skepticism, he launched CNN, the world’s first 24-hour news network. He didn't just create a channel; he created a global pulse, turning local events into international milestones and forever changing how humanity experiences history as it unfolds. ​Born Robert Edward Turner III in 1938, his journey began in the billboard business, but his ambitions were far too large for sta...

  -By Ruben Mario Brodrick  In a powerful convergence of faith and social responsibility, the 2026 Father’s Day celebration at St. Augustine Parish in Benin City served as a clarion call for Catholic men to step out of the shadows and into the forefront of national transformation.  Under the timely theme, "Civic Engagement of Christian Fathers as Agents of Change for Good Governance," the event transcended mere celebration, challenging men to integrate their spiritual values into the looming political landscape of Edo State and Nigeria.  The tone for the day was set by the Parish Chairman of the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO), Mr. Henry Okhe, who reminded the assembly that a just and responsible society is built on the active participation of its fathers.  He emphasized that good governance is not a product of chance but the result of consistent actions guided by Christian virtues, urging all men to be decisive and principled in the forthcoming gene...

-By Ruben-Mario Brodrick  Beneath the soaring arches of the Holy Cross Cathedral, the Archdiocese of Benin City ignited a month of profound grace on May 1st, 2026, as legionaries gathered for a powerful "Day with Mary."  Marking the start of the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, the event seamlessly wove together the liturgical Feast of St. Joseph the Worker with a deep, communal immersion into Marian spirituality. From the rhythmic chanting of the Rosary and the solemnity of Eucharistic Adoration to the anointing of members, the atmosphere was one of intense devotion and a collective call to finish the long-awaited Legion House at Blessed Tansi Parish. ​The spiritual fire of the day was stoked by Rev. Fr. Alfred Agbonlahor, Vice Chairman of CAN in Edo State, who challenged the faithful to view the "Hail Mary" as the ultimate angelic salutation—a greeting so potent it paved the way for the Incarnation itself. He dismantled criticisms of "repetitive...

-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  ​The burial of Reverend Ayuba Choji, his wife, and their two children on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Kwi, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, marked a somber chapter for the Middle Belt region following their brutal murder earlier that week. The family was killed in the early hours of Monday, April 27, when suspected Fulani militants surrounded their home in Gako village within the Rim community, executing an attack that has once again plunged the local area into mourning and confusion.  Rev. Choji was a dedicated minister serving under the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Bukuru District Church Council, and his death has ignited a wave of grief and outrage among his congregation, relatives, and the broader Christian community in Nigeria. ​In the wake of this tragedy, the leadership of ECWA has voiced strong condemnation regarding the persistent insecurity that continues to claim innocent lives across the nation. Speaking...