The Masses Advocate

​-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  ABUJA, NIGERIA – The missionary heartbeat of the Church in Nigeria found its rhythm this week as over 100 delegates gathered for the Pontifical Mission Societies (Missio Nigeria) Joint Diocesan Coordinators’ Meeting . Bringing together the four pillars of the Church's missionary arm—the Holy Childhood Association (HCA) , Propagation of the Faith (POF) , St. Peter the Apostle (SPA) , and the Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU) —this historic summit serves as the official launchpad for the 2026 World Mission Sunday theme: “One in Christ, United in Mission.” ​ A Call to Courage: Following the Path of St. Agnes ​The gathering commenced in a deeply prayerful atmosphere with a Holy Mass presided over by the PMS National Director, Very Rev. Fr. Solomon Patrick Zaku . Coinciding with the Feast of St. Agnes, Fr. Zaku’s homily challenged the coordinators to mirror the saint’s unwavering faith and purity as a model for authentic missionary ...

​-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  The long-standing paternity dispute involving Afrobeats superstar Davido has taken a dramatic turn. The mother of 12-year-old Anuoluwapo has broken her silence, issuing a scathing rebuttal to the Adeleke family. In a strongly worded statement, she accused the billionaire family of using their wealth to silence her while categorically denying claims of recent DNA testing. ​Key Allegations: Betrayal and Surveillance ​The mother expressed deep shock over reports that her own sister, Titilayo Labinjoh , has been in secret communication with the family patriarch, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke , since the 2020 pandemic. ​She characterized the situation as a "betrayal from within," even citing scripture (Matthew 10:36) to describe the rift in her household. Beyond family issues, she leveled serious accusations against the Adelekes, including: ​ Misuse of Power: Alleging the family is using influence and "dirty money" to manipulate the ...

-​By Ruben Mario Brodrick  NEW DELHI, India – In a significant move toward strengthening Nigeria’s electoral integrity through international partnership, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN , is currently participating in the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management . ​The three-day high-level summit, which commenced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, brings together nearly 500 global delegates, including heads of Election Management Bodies (EMBs), legal experts, and academics, to tackle the evolving challenges of modern governance. ​A Global Vision for Resilient Elections ​Organized by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in collaboration with International IDEA , the conference marks a pivotal moment as India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Mr. Gyanesh Kumar, assumes the Chair of the International IDEA Council for 2026. ​Under the theme “Democracy for an Inclusive, Peaceful...

-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  ​The political landscape of Edo North has been thrown into a heated debate following a blistering condemnation by the socio-political pressure group, The Owan Conscience, regarding the recent endorsement of Senator Adams Oshiomhole for a second tenure. The group is reacting sharply to a move by certain leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owan East who publicly backed the incumbent Senator, a decision described by the group's Chairman, Barrister Richard Ofen-Imu, as a painful and insensitive reminder of a long-standing plot to marginalize the Owan people. According to the group, this endorsement ignores the deep-seated grievances of a community that has consistently shown unwavering loyalty and electoral support, only to be treated as mere spectators rather than equal stakeholders in the governance and resource allocation of Edo North. ​Central to this brewing political crisis is a demand for justice, equity, and a seat at the ta...

-​By Ruben Mario Brodrick  ASABA, DELTA STATE – The Catholic community and the people of Delta State are in mourning following the transition of the revered Most Rev. John Okeoghene Afareha , Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Warri. ​Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, in a heartfelt tribute, joined thousands of faithful in honoring the life and legacy of the late cleric, who passed away at the age of 78 . ​A Life of Devotion and Service ​In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Governor Oborevwori described the late Bishop as a "revered servant of God" whose impact stretched far beyond the pulpit. The Governor noted that Bishop Afareha’s decades of ministry were defined by: ​ Spiritual Discipline: A lifelong commitment to prayer and the Catholic faith. ​ Pastoral Simplicity: A humble approach to leadership that resonated with the common man. ​ Unwavering Dedication: A tireless effort to grow the Warri Diocese and str...

-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  In a significant boost for Catholic media practitioners across the globe, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu has officially voiced his support for the upcoming SIGNIS World Congress, set to take place in Rwanda later next year. The Archbishop, who serves as the Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization, shared his endorsement during a meeting on January 6, 2026, with the President of SIGNIS Africa, Rev. Fr. Prof. Walter C. Ihejirika, in Ntigha, Abia State, Nigeria. A Milestone for the African Continent For the first time in the history of the organization, the SIGNIS World Congress—a quadrennial assembly of Catholic communication professionals—will be hosted on African soil. Archbishop Nwachukwu expressed his profound delight at this milestone, noting the importance of the continent in the global mission of the Church. The Archbishop affirmed his intention to be physically present at the gathering in Kigali, provided his official Vatic...

​-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  AGBOR – Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has launched a definitive strike against one of the Niger Delta’s most perilous traffic bottlenecks. On Monday, the Governor performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the N59.7 billion Agbor/Uromi Junction Flyover , a massive infrastructure project designed to permanently dismantle the gridlock and fatal accidents that have long plagued the Ika South Local Government Area. ​ A Lifeline for the "Artery of the Niger Delta" ​Describing the project as a "lifeline," Governor Oborevwori emphasized that the Agbor/Uromi intersection is far more than a local road; it is a vital national corridor. As the primary gateway linking Lagos and the West to the East and Northern Nigeria, its dysfunction threatens the national economy. ​The Governor noted that the intersection had become a "disaster zone" where the volatile mix of heavy-duty federal traffic, local motorcycl...