Daily Digest Online

In a powerful sermon that blended personal testimony with a revelation of past struggles, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), disclosed that a former political leader once orchestrated the demolition of 15 RCCG churches in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, within a single fortnight. He presented this historical challenge as a testament to God's enduring faithfulness and the unstoppable power of praise. Speaking at a recent Holy Ghost meeting in Abuja, Adeboye recounted how, "some years ago," a former minister in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ordered the destruction of the church buildings. The cleric noted that due to the RCCG's vast network of parishes across the city, the widespread demolitions went largely unnoticed by the public at the time. "Despite the attempt to hinder God's work, look at where we are today," Adeboye declared, pointing to the massive crowd g...

In a significant shift, Saudi Arabia has reportedly begun easing its 70-year total prohibition on alcohol, allowing sales to a limited group of wealthy, non-Muslim foreigners for the first time. According to a report by The New York Times, a discreet liquor store in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, previously exclusive to diplomats, has quietly expanded access. Customers with a costly "premium residency" permit—typically granted to highly skilled professionals in sectors like healthcare or those working for government-linked entities—can now purchase spirits under a tightly controlled system. Historical Context and New Rules The ban was instituted in 1952 following a tragedy involving a member of the royal family. For decades, legal purchase was restricted to diplomats. Under the new arrangement, eligible residents and diplomats can enter the unmarked store, guarded for controlled access. Purchases are tied to government ID numbers and subj...

In a public display that has ended years of speculation, Apostle Joshua Selman, the founder of Koinonia Global, has confirmed his relationship with Sandra Areh. The confirmation occurred on Tuesday, December 9th, 2025, when the preacher made a surprise appearance at Areh's birthday celebration. During the event, he affectionately referred to her as "my love" and offered a prayer over her, a moment that was captured on video and widely shared on social media. Sandra Areh, an interior designer, has been romantically linked to the apostle since 2019 and is known to be a steadfast supporter of his ministry. While their close bond has been acknowledged by followers, this marks the first instance of Apostle Selman openly affirming their relationship in a public setting. The apostle's rare permission to be photographed and filmed at the private event has intensified speculation among fans about a potential future wedding. The i...

Nigerian actor and senior pastor Jimmy Odukoya has delivered a sharp retort to critics who question the lifestyles and family-run leadership of pastors of large, successful churches. In a candid address, he challenged skeptics to understand the immense struggle behind building a ministry and even dared them to "start your own church" if they find the path so straightforward. Odukoya, who leads the Fountain of Life Church in Lagos—founded by his late parents, Pastors Taiwo and Bimbo Odukoya—spoke out against what he perceives as selective and unfair criticism. He argued that public scrutiny of pastors' wealth and influence only emerges after years of unseen hardship and sacrifice. "Listen, it is very easy to talk about pastors who have mega churches and big, big crowds. It is easy to talk about them when they are at that level," Odukoya stated. "Where were you when they had no one?... Where were you when the pastor had no money and he...

A legal dispute in Michigan is highlighting the tension between standard police security procedures and religious freedom, after a Muslim woman filed a claim demanding $250,000 from the Ferndale Police Department for being required to remove her headscarf during booking. The incident stems from a traffic stop in November 2023. According to police, Helina Bowe was pulled over on Eight Mile Road for displaying a license plate that did not belong to her vehicle. Officers say she informed them she had a taser, but a subsequent search revealed an illegal stun gun. She was arrested and taken to the police station for processing. It was during the standard booking procedure that the conflict arose. Bowe says she was "traumatized" when officers insisted she remove her hijab—a headscarf worn as an act of faith by many Muslim women—to be photographed. "I'm Muslim, so it's very important that I wear hijab. It's like a form of worship for me,...

ISIOKWE, Anambra State — A violent Sunday morning attack on St. Andrew's Anglican Church in the Lilu community has left two worshippers dead, including the wife of the church's priest, and marked a distressing escalation of insecurity in Nigeria's southeastern region. The assault, which occurred in the early hours of December 7, 2025, saw heavily armed assailants invade the church premises in Isiokwe, Ihiala Local Government Area, as congregants were preparing for service. Eyewitnesses described a scene of terror where the gunmen opened fire before setting buildings ablaze. The wife of the parish priest, Venerable Obiese, was among those killed. While the priest escaped unharmed, his residence (the parsonage) was completely razed, along with at least two vehicles and a motorcycle. The main church building was also partially burnt. Another victim, whose identity remains unknown, was also killed in the attack. Official Condemnation and Police Response The Anambra...

MINNA, Niger State — The decomposed body discovered in an uncompleted building in Minna has been identified as that of Mallam Awwal Yakubu, a local Qur’anic teacher and father of seven who was reported missing last week. The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday. According to Police Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun, authorities received a report around 10 a.m. on December 7, 2025, of a corpse found behind Talba Estate along Bida Road in the Kpakungu area. "Police operatives moved to the scene and found a decomposed body in an uncompleted building, which was later identified by relatives as Auwal Yakubu, 45, residing in the same area," the statement read. The police noted that the body appeared to have been dumped at the location. The deceased had been reported missing since December 4. Yakubu operated an Islamiyya school in the Barikin-Saleh area. Community leader Mallam Mahmud Dalhatu Iya told the *Daily ...

IBADAN, Nigeria – A prominent Nigerian pastor has publicly stated that politicians seek meetings with popular church leaders primarily to secure the votes of their large congregations, not for spiritual guidance. Pastor Femi Emmanuel, the Presiding Pastor of Livingspring Chapel International, made the remarks during an interview with journalists in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. He argued that politicians are more interested in the electoral influence of religious figures than their prayers. “When politicians visit popular General Overseers, they come mainly for political reasons, to get their members to vote for them,” Emmanuel stated. “I tell my congregation all the time: it’s your votes they’re after.” The cleric urged citizens to engage more deeply with the political process at the grassroots level, suggesting that critical decisions are often made by party delegates who are not equipped for such responsibility. He lamented that many “good Nigerians” avo...

Police in Croatia have filed a criminal complaint against a Catholic nun, alleging she stabbed herself and falsely reported being attacked by a fictitious Muslim immigrant, an incident that initially sparked national outrage and anti-migrant sentiment. A Catholic nun in Croatia is facing criminal charges after police concluded she fabricated a story about being stabbed by a Muslim immigrant, alleging she wounded herself and filed a false report. Sister Marija Tatjana Zrno, a 35-year-old member of the Sisters of Charity in Zagreb, told authorities on November 28 that an unknown assailant attacked her with a knife in the city's Malešnica district. Initial media reports, citing unverified claims, suggested the attacker shouted "Allahu Akbar," fueling widespread speculation about a religiously motivated assault. Following a four-day investigation, the Zagreb Police Department announced it has filed a criminal complaint against Sister Zrno, asserting th...