SPIRITANS SOUND OUTREACH HOSTS “NIGHT TO SHINE”

By Fidelis ENWEMEKA

The Spiritans Sound Outreach, in partnership with the Tim Tebow Foundation, a non-denominational Christian foundation based in Georgia, USA, organised a special programme tagged Night to Shine on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The memorable event was held at St. Francis Catholic Parish Hall, 2 Oremeji Street, Oregun, Ikeja.

The programme was designed to celebrate and honour persons with special needs through a variety of engaging activities.

Highlights of the evening included a limousine ride, crowning ceremony, barbing and makeup sessions, free medical check-ups, face painting, and shoe shining—each carefully arranged to create a joyful and dignified experience for the participants.

Some of the honoured guests showcased their talents during the event which was quite spectacular.

One of them, Adebayo Arioluwa delighted the audience with a musical rendition; Akabueze Prosper delivered an inspiring speech; while Adesola Akinbusola took part in a modelling presentation.

The Graceful Groovers Dance Troupe also entertained guests with an energetic dance performance which thrilled the audience.

A major highlight of the evening was a musical performance by DString, a blind guitarist who attended as a guest artiste. Rev. Fr. Oluwafemi Victor Orilua, CSSp, also presented a drama and performed his song titled “Home is the Best,” extending a heartfelt call to those who may have drifted away from God to return to Him.

In his opening address, Rev. Fr. Oluwafemi Victor Orilua, founder and director of the Spiritans Sound Outreach and Chaplain of St. Aidan High School, Scotland, United Kingdom reiterated the mission of the organisation.

He stated that from its inception, the outreach has remained committed to proclaiming the Gospel of God’s grace to the poor, the marginalized, and those on the fringes of society.

He acknowledged the generous support of the Tim Tebow Foundation, noting that their collaboration made it possible to begin, last year, with the vision of creating an unforgettable experience for persons with special needs.

Describing the celebrants as “our kings and queens,” he emphasised that their royalty is not defined by disability, but by their inherent dignity, worth, and need for special care and love.

He expressed profound gratitude to all partner organisations and supporters who contributed to the success of the event.

Dignitaries present at the occasion included Barrister Mofolowasho Liasu, Founder of the Super Parent Foundation, who collaborated with the outreach to mobilise participants; Rev. Fr. Modestus Uzoekwe, CSSp, Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ketu-Ijanikin; Fr. Boniface Ugwo, CSSp, Parish Priest of St. Francis; Fr. Godfrey Igboka, CSSp; Fr. Onyinlo, CSSp; Barrister Boluwaji Ajayi; Engr. Toba Ogunleye; Mrs. Awe Folorunso; and Mrs. Titilayo Asikpata.

Brother Fidelis wrote in from Ogun state.

SPIRITANS SOUND OUTREACH HOSTS “NIGHT TO SHINE”

New civil service association wants Ogun governor to halt hurried implementation of contributory pension scheme until……

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The entire members of the Association of New Ogun Civil and Public Service Retirees have called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to halt any further accelerated action on the proposed contributory pension scheme (CPS) for civil servants.

The association which comprises more than 600 members and still counting as people are retiring wants Prince Dapo Abiodun, to consider their plights by shifting the proposed hurried implementation of the CPS forward to a later year when all vexatious aspects of the law that established the CPS would have been properly fixed.

In a release signed by about five of the worried retirees, led by Shadrach Omopariola, the members maintain we that “inline with this, we plead with His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun CON to order the payment of our monthly pension as from January 1st 2026 to bring back the hope of living in us and put smile on our faces.

“Your Excellency Sir, we heard that your Government is planning to introduce a new idea that is known as ‘Additional Pension Benefits’ This in itself is nothing to be compared with the gains and benefits of the Old Pension Scheme.

” Sir, the payment of our monthly pension would in no small measure improve not only the economic growth of our immediate families but would be a moral booster for the good people of Ogun State inline with Your Excellency’s Mantra of ‘Igbega ipinle Ogun Ajose Gbogbo wa Ni’.

“We will patiently wait for the payment of our gratuity with faith in the government of Ogun State to pay us as soon as possible.

“We remain law-abiding senior citizens of Ogun State even in this difficult situation where we have no money to take care of ourselves, our children, our aged parents, and other dependent relatives.

“We believe in your kind heartedness and goodwill that you will not close your eyes to our pleading but you will come to our rescue within the shortest time possible to bring happiness and joy to all of us.”

The release was jointly signed by Omopariola Shadrach, Adeyanju Joseph, Falola Kayode, Obasan Olufolake and Kayode Mulikat.

The contributory pension scheme is a new scheme first introduced by the fed government in June 2004 following the enactment of the pension reform act by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The act was later repealed and replaced by the pension reform Act of 2014 which updated the terms of the scheme by exempting employees who had three years or less to retire, those who retired before the enactment, judicial officers, members of the armed forces and the secret service.

Teachers who should have led the list of these exemptions because of their thankless services to humanity like that of the military were completely ignored.

Sub nationals now trying to domesticate the scheme have equally refused to give teachers that special exemption they are entitled to for their thankless services.

New civil service association wants Ogun governor to halt hurried implementation of contributory pension scheme until……

Nigeria Validates 7th Biodiversity Report, Signals Renewed Push Toward 2030 Global Targets

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has taken a decisive step to reinforce its environmental commitments with the validation of its Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity at a high-level workshop in Abuja on Monday.

The validation workshop, brought together government officials, environmental experts, civil society actors, researchers, development partners and community representatives to review and endorse the country’s latest biodiversity performance assessment.

Describing the exercise as a defining moment for Nigeria’s environmental governance, the Director of Forestry, Hajiya Halima Bawa-Bwari, said the national report goes far beyond a routine international obligation.

According to her, the document serves as a critical reflection of Nigeria’s achievements, gaps and future priorities in conserving its vast biological wealth.

“The National Report is not just a statutory submission. It is a mirror of our collective journey — our progress, our challenges and our aspirations in protecting the natural heritage entrusted to us,” she stated.

Bawa-Bwari emphasized that biodiversity underpins food security, climate resilience, economic livelihoods and cultural identity across the country. She warned that accelerating ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and climate pressures demand coordinated and urgent action.

Bawa- Bwari represented by Ahmed Labaran, Assistant Director, Forestry commended the contributions of ministries, research institutions, civil society organisations, local communities and development partners in shaping the draft report, noting that biodiversity conservation requires sustained collaboration, innovation and inclusivity.

Participants were urged to ensure that the final document aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which sets ambitious targets for halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.

“Our deliberations must strengthen national resolve, integrate biodiversity into development planning, and mobilize the financial and technical resources required for implementation,” she said, calling for integrity and professionalism in validating the report.

The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, in his remarks, described the Seventh National Report as coming at a pivotal time for global and domestic biodiversity action. He stressed that Nigeria’s revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) remains the country’s principal roadmap for translating global environmental commitments into measurable national outcomes.

The Minister, who was represented by Tijani Ahmed, Deputy Director Forestry, said the validation process must guarantee that the report is evidence-based, comprehensive and reflective of realities on the ground.

“The report must not end as an international filing exercise,” the Minister stated. “Its findings should inform policy coordination ent decisions, guide resource mobilization and strengthen accountability in implementing the NBSAP.”

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, calling for stronger inter-agency coordination, sustainable financing mechanisms, improved environmental data systems and the meaningful participation of sub-national governments, indigenous communities, women, youth and the private sector.

Stakeholders at the workshop expressed optimism that the finalized report will not only highlight Nigeria’s progress but also chart a renewed and ambitious path toward achieving the 2030 biodiversity targets.

With the validation concluded, Nigeria signals its intent to remain actively engaged in global biodiversity governance while strengthening domestic efforts to safeguard ecosystems critical to national development and future generations.

Nigeria Validates 7th Biodiversity Report, Signals Renewed Push Toward 2030 Global Targets