On December 4, 2025, the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda signed what U.S. President Donald Trump called a “historic deal.” The ceremony, held at the recently renamed Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, appeared more filled with theatrical confidence than genuine mutual conviction. ❝ How can foreign-brokered deals truly heal Africa’s wounds when war…
Too often, we hear religious and secular leaders appeal to the virtue of hope as a form of magical solution to an experience that brings about total desolation. Sometimes, these inspiring narratives serve as a psychological medicine for those who lament social and structural injustices that have come to define their lives. Also, these narratives can become a strategic attempt…
The recent celebration at Holy Trinity Girls’ School was more than a ceremony—it was a quiet revolution wrapped in prayer, song, and youthful conviction. Held during the Grade 12 graduation, the event became an unexpected stage for honouring a group of girls who have stood out not only for their academic effort, but also for their faith-driven commitment to safeguarding…
❝ During Advent, we do not just live in anticipation of Christmas; we are also called to rekindle the anticipation of the glorious return of Christ, when he will return at the end of time, preparing ourselves, with consistent and courageous choices, for the final encounter with him. We remember Christmas, we await the glorious return of Christ, and also…
The Diocese of Dori, at the heart of Burkina Faso’s Sahel region, was once a land of vibrant faith. From the parish of Sebba to Gorom-Gorom and Gorgadji, the sound of church bells mingled with the songs of the faithful, and priests travelled freely to serve their communities. Today, that same land bears the wounds of violence and fear. The…
❝ Online debates in Nigeria rarely reflect the complexity of the Middle East; centuries of shared history are reduced to memes, and religion itself is wrongly cast as the enemy.” — Augustine Ikenna Anwuchie According to BBC News (22 November 2025), renewed Israeli airstrikes killed 22 Palestinians in northern and central Gaza on Saturday—bringing the post-ceasefire death toll to more…
❝ By following in St. Augustine’s footsteps to Africa, Pope Leo hopes to deepen the dialogue between Christianity and Islam, which lies at the very heart of his papal mission: to build bridges among peoples, cultures, civilizations, religions, races, and nations.” — Stan Chu Ilo On his return flight to Rome after a deeply symbolic and pastorally courageous journey to…
“Gen Z” (Generation Zoomer), a term borrowed from the practice of using zoom, refers to people born between 1997 and 2012. This generation saw the massive expansion of the Internet, a gigantic information warehouse, and the dizzying rise and global spread of different social media platforms. Their period of growing up also included the Great Recession (late 2007–mid-2009) and the…
On 28 November 2025, the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network convened a continental Catholic Palaver on Church and Politics in Africa, inspired by SECAM Vision 2025–2050, Pillar 12. Bringing together cardinals, bishops, religious, scholars, youth advocates, and political leaders from across the continent, the gathering became a powerful reminder that Africa’s political future cannot be separated from its moral…
Growing up in Nigeria, I am familiar with the rituals of staying awake and keeping a vigil in preparation for a grand celebration the next day. Socializing, listening to tales and stories from friends, praying, reading, dancing, and just looking up into the skies are all part of the rituals of staying awake and keeping a vigil. Yet, in the…