The Diocese of Kaduna, Anglican Communion, has confirmed the death of The Venerable Edwin Achi, Priest-in-Charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church, Ungwan Maijero, who was abducted with his wife on October 28, 2025.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Diocese expressed profound grief over the loss, saying Ven. Achi had “passed unto glory” while in captivity.

The Church described his death as a devastating blow to the Diocese and the broader Christian community, noting his faithful ministry, humility, and dedication to God’s service.

The Diocese also appealed for urgent prayers and action for the safe release of his wife and daughter, who remain in the kidnappers’ custody.

“We continue to pray for the release of his wife and daughter who are still in the hands of the kidnappers,” the statement read.

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Enugu into Nigeria’s skills capital.

Speaking on Wednesday at the 2025 Agbaja Education Summit, organized by the Agbaja Leaders of Thought (ALT) at the Amadeo Event Centre in Enugu, Gov. Mbah highlighted the growing role of knowledge and innovation in driving national prosperity.

The summit is hosted by ALT, a sociocultural group of professionals from Udi and Ezeagu Local Government Areas.

Gov. Mbah outlined his administration’s ambitious educational agenda, including the construction of 260 Smart Schools with digital classrooms and modern laboratories.

He also emphasized a reformed curriculum focused on coding, robotics, critical thinking, and problem-solving, along with the creation of skill-acceleration centres to prepare youth for a rapidly evolving economy.

“Our vision is simple but ambitious: to make Enugu State the skills capital of Nigeria,” the governor said.

“Agbaja land, with its historic contributions to scholarship and enterprise, has a key role in this transformation.”

He described the summit as a platform to explore Agbaja’s economic strengths, foster industrial growth, promote unity, and engage young people in shaping the region’s future.

Former governor Mr. Sullivan Chime, in his opening remarks, stressed that education and empowerment remain central to the future of the Agbaja people.

“The pursuit of education and empowerment reflects the innate drive and philosophy of the Agbaja community,” he said.

“Today’s realities call for renewed investment in education and skills development across Agbaja land.”

Prof. Chike Anibeze, chairman of the summit planning committee, noted that the summit allowed Agbaja indigenes to reconnect, celebrate their heritage, and chart a visionary path for collective progress.

He recalled that the inaugural 2022 summit, conceived under Prof. Chinedu Nebo, aimed to strengthen unity among the Agbaja people.

“The first summit was a turning point,” Anibeze said.

“Beyond the Economic and Investment Forum and Cultural Carnival, it gave us a renewed sense of purpose and a spirit of collective endeavour.”

The event culminated in the presentation of awards to distinguished sons, daughters, and friends of Agbaja.

The High Court of Enugu State on Monday, November 24, 2025, issued a restraining order against the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, the SWAT Commander, CSP Anosike Nduwuisi, and other security operatives over alleged unlawful arrests and intimidation of youths from the Mburubu community in Nkanu East Local Government Area.

Justice C. O. Ajah, presiding over the case, granted the motion filed by ten youths from the community, Eze Cletus Elija, Joseph Ani Ezeoha, Evaristus Okonkwo, Friday Ani, Ani Monday, Orji Emmanuel, Ozo Emmanuel Aniobi, Patrick Okonkwo, Aniobi Ambrose, and Imeka Godswill Chukwuemeka, who represented themselves and other Mburubu youths.

None of the respondents, including the Commissioner of Police, the SWAT Commander, IPO Emmanuel Uchenna Ogazi, or community member Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe, were present in court.

In Suit No. E/1093m/25, the applicants’ counsel, Barr. Ike Ozor, told the court that the youths were targeted for resisting Onuokaibe’s alleged attempt to unlawfully claim the Igweship stool, in violation of existing court orders.

Ozor explained that a prior ruling in Suit No. HAMA/1/2024 (January 12, 2025) had disqualified Onuokaibe from contesting the stool under the community’s rotational provisions.

Another order in Suit No. HAMA/24/2025 barred him from holding the New Yam Festival scheduled for November 1, 2025.

“Despite these court orders, he went ahead with the festival and continued presenting himself as Igwe-elect,” Ozor told the court.

He alleged that Onuokaibe colluded with the police, especially the SWAT Commander, to arrest ten youths on November 3, detaining and allegedly torturing them for opposing his claim.

Ozor further claimed that the police compiled a list of approximately 70 community leaders to report at the SWAT office, raising fears of additional arrests.

After nearly three weeks in detention, the ten youths were reportedly taken to Onuokaibe’s home, forced to address him as Igwe, and released without conditions.

“This demonstrates that the police knew no offence had been committed,” Ozor said, noting that the complainant himself stood as surety for their release.

Justice Ajah, after hearing the submissions, found that the applicants had shown “sufficient and compelling facts” indicating that their lives and liberties were at risk.

He granted the motion, restraining the police and other respondents from arresting, detaining, harassing, or intimidating the applicants or any member of the Mburubu community until the substantive case is determined.

The judge also announced that the case file would be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge for continuation.

The Acting Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Muhammad Dattijo Usman, has raised concerns that Nigeria’s outdated population figures are significantly hindering national planning, resource allocation, and the effective delivery of essential services.

Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the commemoration of the sixth anniversary of the Nairobi Summit on ICPD+25, Usman stressed that Nigeria urgently needs a modern, credible census to address its rapidly changing demographic realities.

He noted that the last national census was conducted nearly 20 years ago, leaving policymakers to rely on estimates rather than accurate data.

Usman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to delivering a digital and inclusive census that captures every individual living in the country.

According to him, Nigeria is at a critical demographic crossroads, driven by a youthful population and persistent gaps in healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.

With nearly 70% of Nigerians under the age of 30, he said the country stands to benefit immensely, if the government prioritises investments in youth empowerment.

He added that women must have access to quality healthcare, education, and protection from gender-based violence to fully contribute to national development.

“Too many women continue to die from preventable causes,” he said.

“Gender-based violence persists, and many still struggle to access voluntary family planning services. These are not abstract goals; they are urgent necessities.”

Usman emphasised that planning must be backed by accountability, coordinated action, and reliable evidence.

He disclosed that the NPC, with support from UNFPA, has developed a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the National Action Plan on Nigeria’s ICPD25 commitments, describing it as the accountability backbone for tracking progress.

He stressed that marginalised populations, including those in rural areas, people with disabilities, and communities impacted by crises, must not be excluded from development efforts.

“Our ability to achieve a demographic dividend depends entirely on how we invest in these populations today,” he said.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, called for renewed commitment toward achieving Nigeria’s ICPD25 goals of zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero gender-based violence.

She noted that the country’s persistently high maternal mortality rates and low uptake of family planning have far-reaching consequences for families and communities. Gender-based violence, she added, remains pervasive, leaving survivors with long-term physical, emotional, and socioeconomic scars.

Deputy Representative and Officer-in-Charge of UNFPA Nigeria, Mr. Koessan Kuawu, lauded Nigeria for reaffirming its ICPD commitments six years ago but warned that the urgency remains unchanged.

He stressed that without a credible national census, the country cannot effectively plan or respond to the needs of its people.

Kuawu commended the Federal Government and the NPC for steps taken to strengthen maternal health, deepen data investment, and promote gender equality and youth participation.