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Nigerian man dies on Good Friday playing Jesus on Passion of Christ
A young man, Michael Obetan, has died while acting as Jesus on Good Friday during the Passion of Christ procession at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area in Cross River State,
According to eyewitnesses account, Michael, popularly known as Mike within the Catholic community in the area, has been the only person taking the role of Christ on Goof Fridays for over six years.
Things took a dangerous twist last Friday as the 40 years old 2012 Mass Communication graduate of the University of Cross River State, was killed when an explosion meant to heighten the reality of Christ’s suffering mistakenly struck him in the head, bring the entire exercise to a tragic end.
“Every year on Good Friday, Mike always takes part in the Passion of Christ drama, playing the role of Jesus. No one imagined this would be the outcome,” a source was quoted to have said.
Following the tragic incident, friends and parishioners rushed him to the Federal Medical Centre in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. But as his condition worsened, he was referred to Enugu for more advanced care. The journey, however, ended in heartbreak.
“A close friend who was with him confirmed that Mike passed away on arrival in Enugu,” another source disclosed.
Just weeks before the incident, on March 23, 2026, he had shared a reflective piece on his Facebook page titled “When Life Feels Like a Closed Tomb,” authored by Fr. Linus Olom.
The message, drawn from John 11:1-45, told the story of Lazarus, a reminder that even in moments of despair, resurrection and hope remain possible.
The post has since taken on a chilling resonance.
It spoke of God’s timing, of pain, and of the call to “come out” from life’s darkest placeswords that friends now read with a mixture of grief, confusion, and painful introspection.
Social media has since been flooded with emotional tributes, many struggling to make sense of the loss.One user, El-donal Obetan, poured out her grief and questioned: “Uncle Mike, did you actually see this before now? If yes, why didn’t you discuss this with anyone or your spiritual father rather than throwing the family in shambles?
“You made us lose our appetite and nothing seems interesting anymore. Death came calling and you couldn’t resist… Have you thought about Dad, Mom, your extended family and loved ones? Bro Mike, why?”
News
Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.
The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.
The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.
Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.
The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.
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Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027
The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.
He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.
Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.
Details later…..
News
Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.
He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.
He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.
Details later…..
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