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Religious leaders urge Nigerian government to establish AI regulatory guidelines

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In a pressing call for action, the Nigeria Religious Coalition on Artificial Intelligence (NRCAI) has urged the Federal Government to develop clear regulatory guidelines for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the emerging field of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). The coalition warns that the unchecked advancement of these technologies could pose significant threats to humanity, culture, and spirituality.

The appeal came during a media interface held on Tuesday at the Wesley Pastoral Centre in Yaba, Lagos, attended by clerics from the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI). The event was organized by the CCN-Institute of Church and Society, Ibadan, with support from the Future of Life Institute in the United States.

The coalition emphasized the importance of including religious leaders in the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2024, particularly under Pillar 4, which focuses on “Ensuring Responsible and Ethical AI Development.” Very Rev. Kolade Fadahunsi, Director of the CCN-Institute of Church and Society, highlighted the potential dangers of formulating AI regulations without the input of religious figures, who play a crucial role in shaping societal moral and ethical values.

He pointed out that while the National AI Strategy proposes the creation of a High-Level AI Ethics Expert Group, religious leaders are notably absent from this initiative. The interface aimed to amplify the ethical concerns raised by the rapid development of AGI—an advanced form of AI capable of human-like understanding and learning.

Concerns were echoed by Archbishop Adegbemi Adewale of the Methodist Church Niger, who described AGI as an “existential threat.” He stressed the need for laws to safeguard children from the potential dangers of AI technologies.

National Treasurer of CCN, Elder Akaninyene Obot, expressed that the pursuit of AGI should not undermine Nigeria’s cultural and religious values. Similarly, CCN South-West Chairman Archbishop Jeremiah Okunlola called for responsible design in AI development to ensure it does not compromise belief in God.

Clerics raised various concerns about AI’s impact on society. Rev. Aloche from the Lagos Presbyterian Church warned of its detrimental effects on critical thinking and creativity among young people. Nneoma Mary Onyemara, Women Leader of the Methodist Church, highlighted AI’s negative influence on family relationships and social dynamics, while Archbishop Bankole Faburoso of the Church of the Lord Worldwide referred to AI as “a helpful servant and dangerous master,” emphasizing the need for human oversight guided by spiritual values.

Archbishop Christopher Ede of the Methodist Church in Enugu cautioned against excessive reliance on AGI, warning that it could lead to machines replacing human roles in vital areas of life. He stressed the necessity of ethical monitoring to prevent the exacerbation of inequality and security threats.

In closing, Bishop Evans Onyemara, General Secretary of CCN, reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to advocating for effective AI regulations and educating congregations about the benefits and risks associated with these technologies. He announced plans to engage the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to further discussions with the Federal Government on potential regulatory frameworks.

“We are all concerned about safeguarding the future of our children, and we shall continue to do our best to ensure that AI and AGI will not overtake them and their future,” he stated.

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Two APC states reschedule governorship primaries

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PRESS STATEMENT

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the rescheduling of its Governorship Primary Elections in Bauchi State and Kwara State to Friday, May 22, 2026.

In the same vein, the party has approved a new date for the State House of Assembly Primary Elections in Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies of Zamfara State, which will now hold on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

The decision was ratified by the National Working Committee (NWC) after consultations with critical stakeholders as part of efforts to guarantee a transparent, peaceful, orderly, and credible primary election process.

The party reiterated its commitment to upholding internal democracy and ensuring the successful conduct of all primary elections ahead of the forthcoming polls.

Signed:

Felix Morka

National Publicity Secretary

All Progressives Congress (APC)

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Abia moves closer to energy independence

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The Governor of Abia State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving energy independence and expanding access to reliable electricity across the state following a high-level meeting with the leadership of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).

The governor disclosed this after receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Jennifer Adighije, alongside members of her management team during a courtesy visit to his office.

During the meeting, the governor praised the successful revival of the Alaoji Power Plant in Aba, describing the development as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to guarantee stable and uninterrupted electricity supply in the state.

According to him, the restoration of operations at the plant represents a critical milestone in strengthening power generation and supporting industrial growth, particularly within the Aba economic corridor.

He revealed that the Alaoji Power Plant currently dispatches approximately 375 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, while expansion plans are already underway to increase output capacity to nearly 800 megawatts, with long-term projections targeting up to 1,100 megawatts.

The governor noted that electricity remains central to his administration’s broader economic transformation agenda, stressing that sustainable power supply is essential for industrialization, job creation, healthcare delivery, education, and overall social development.

He explained that since assuming office, his government has implemented strategic reforms aimed at repositioning the power sector within the state. These reforms include the ring-fencing of the Aba industrial cluster to ensure more efficient electricity management and the ongoing process to acquire the Umuahia electricity axis of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

According to the governor, the measures are designed to place electricity generation, regulation, and distribution substantially under the control of the state government, thereby enabling faster decision-making and improved service delivery.

He expressed optimism that deeper collaboration between Abia State and NDPHC would make it possible to wheel electricity directly from the Alaoji facility to the remaining eight local government areas outside the Aba corridor.

The planned expansion, he said, would ensure that homes, schools, hospitals, and industries across the state gain access to reliable and affordable power supply.

The governor further emphasized that improved electricity infrastructure would significantly boost economic productivity, attract investors, strengthen small and medium-scale enterprises, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

Reaffirming his administration’s vision, he declared that Abia State is prepared to lead Nigeria’s push toward subnational energy independence through strategic partnerships, infrastructure investments, and sector reforms.

He added that the state government remains committed to building a power ecosystem capable of driving industrial production, supporting innovation, and sustaining long-term prosperity for the people of Abia.

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Obidient Movement ex mobilization director apologises to Obi, supporters 

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A former Director of Mobilization of the Obidient Movement, Morris Monye, has issued a public apology to supporters of the movement and to Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over a controversial resignation letter he previously released.

In an open letter addressed to members of the Obidient Movement, Monye admitted that he acted out of “frustration and immaturity” when he published the resignation letter, which he said contained statements that unfairly targeted Obi.
According to him, the remarks did not reflect the values of accountability and constructive engagement associated with the movement.
“I allowed deep frustration and personal emotions to cloud my judgment. I made statements that subtly and unnecessarily dragged Peter Obi, a man I still respect for his vision, integrity, and sacrifice for this nation. That was wrong,” he stated.
Monye accepted full responsibility for the letter, stressing that no one influenced or edited his comments before publication. Although he later deleted the letter, he acknowledged that the action had already caused disappointment and loss of trust among supporters.
The former mobilization director also apologized directly to Obi and members of the Obidient Movement, especially young supporters who he said remained committed to the vision of a better Nigeria despite political challenges.
“To Peter Obi himself, Sir, I am sincerely sorry. My words were not a true reflection of the values of sacrifice, accountability, and constructive criticism that you preach,” he wrote.
He further noted that he was not seeking a return to any position within the movement, adding that his apology was motivated by a sense of responsibility and the need to own up to his mistakes.
Monye said he understood that trust could only be rebuilt through consistent actions over time and appealed for forgiveness from members of the movement.
He ended the letter on a lighter note, urging supporters to move forward in unity while reaffirming his commitment to the struggle for a better Nigeria.
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