The Masses Advocate

​ -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...

-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  ​In a landmark move for Nigeria’s diplomatic future, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the nation's new Minister of Foreign Affairs . This elevation follows the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to focus on his 2027 political ambitions. ​ The Rise of a Diplomatic Powerhouse ​This is not just a political appointment; it is a strategic promotion. Having recently served as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ojukwu has now been handed the full steering wheel of Nigeria's international relations. ​Her resume reads like a masterclass in public service: ​ Spanish Success: Former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, where she also served as the Permanent Representative to the UN World Tourism Organization. ​ Seasoned Advisor: A former Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, ensuring she understands the pulse of Nigerians living abroad. ...

-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  ​As Catholic Television of Nigeria (CTV) prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary, the station has announced an ambitious roadmap to transition from a faith-based niche broadcaster into a major player within Nigeria’s mainstream media landscape.  During a press briefing held in Abuja on Monday, Barr. Dr. Princess Frank-Chukwuani, Chairperson of the National Planning Committee, outlined a future where CTV becomes a staple in national discourse, with plans to expand coverage to the State House, the National Assembly, and high-level interviews with top government officials.  This vision for national prominence follows a year of explosive growth; since migrating to GOtv Channel 115 on March 13, 2025, the station has seen its viewership surge by over 300 percent, reaching an estimated eight million people across the African continent. Founded in 2010 by Emeritus Archbishop John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the station has evolved from its religio...