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Enact laws on marriage list, dowry reduction, a Nigerian Pastor, Apostle John Okoriko urges State Govt

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*We are working on recommendation – A’Ibom Council of Chiefs

The reasons and causes of delayed marriages in Akwa Ibom State and other states in the NIGERIA were identified on Sunday by the founder and president of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Apostle John Okoriko.

Apostle John Okoriko, was one of the guest contributors in a panel discussion with the topic ” The negative impacts of exorbitant marriage list on Akwa Ibom State”, organized by the marriage committee of the Solid Rock Kingdom Church Headquarters, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

Apostle Okoriko in his contribution, said, tradition and culture hindered young ladies and men from getting married, noting that the exorbitant and high price of items required by some families in their marriage lists as tradition and culture, not only caused delay in marriages but health issues like depression, high blood pressure, mental stress and corruption.

The clergy advised that tradition and culture that promote exorbitant marriage list need to be discarded, saying because Akwa Ibom girls are not sale.

He recalled that, because of tradition, poor families years ago, instead of using money to train their wards in schools, instead were using resources gotten from borrowing, upright sale of lands and properties in building tombstones because of tradition and culture.

Apostle Okoriko called on christian families in the state to ensure that items in marriage list in the state are reduced to encourage marriages among young ladies and men in the state.

He called on Akwa Ibom State Government, to send executive bill to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for uniformity in marriage list, minimal required items and reduction in dowries. This, according to him, would reduce prostitution rate, looting of public funds to satisfy would-be father-in-laws and other crimes in the state.

The paramount ruler of Eastern Obolo, HRM Edidem, John Harry Etotor said greed and covetousness among parents caused delay in their children marriages.

The monarch recalled that in ancient days, men married their wives as a result of closeness to the father-in-laws, being hardworking and honest, noting that civilization, quest for wealth acquisition brought high cost in marriage and exorbitant marriage list.

He said, as a member of Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs and vice chairman of roles and ethics committee, that the council is concern about the high cost of marriage in the state, and that the committee is working on a recommendation to the Akwa Ibom State Government on marriage list issues.

HRM Edidem John Etotor, however, noted that ladies should not look for a man with wealth, cars and other earthly things before getting married. Urging men not to wait until they acquired all the wealth before getting married, seeing these as reasons for delayed marriages in the state.

Other panelists were Elder David Maurice Mkpokporo, Mary Richard Nnaewi, Elder Juana, Uduak Ukoh, Emmanuel Ukoh and anchored by Nkereuwem Ntuk, further identified poor economic situation in the country, unemployment, idol worshipping like “awa adia” and slaughtering of sheep, goat etc, for first daughters by some families, peer group influence, search for ready-made men and ladies, father-in-laws quest for prosperity and unnecessary tradition as some reasons for marriage delay in the state.

They harped on the Biblical standard, practice and teaching as the solution to the exorbitant marriage list in the state.

The Resident Pastor of Solid Rock Kingdom Church Headquarters, Uyo, Pastor Etop Nathaniel Okoko in his contribution, encouraged ladies to always intervene and talk to their parents to reduce the high dowries in the state.

He called on government, community leaders, family and village heads, churches to play their roles in marriage stability in the state.

In his homily, Pastor Etop Nathaniel spoke on the topic: “Follow a warrior” and took his text from Matt. 15:14.

He admonished christians to always follow a warrior, describing a warrior as someone who has found a path, an achiever, good leader, God-fearing individual, saying people we follow can influence our lives positively or negatively.

The cleric, said, sometime in Israel, they lack warriors until God caused a warrior to emerged among them, that some people because of ignorant and fear, failed to act as warriors.

He assured christian that God knows what they are passing through and would send them warriors.

According to Ikpaisong Reporters, the service featured song renditions, prayers, testimonies, ministration and distribution of free Bible translated in Ibibio language.

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U.S. Revokes Wole Soyinka’s Visa, Restricting His Entry Into the Country

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Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has disclosed that the United States government has revoked his visa, effectively barring him from entering the country for now.

Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Soyinka said he was notified of the development through an official letter from the U.S. Consulate dated October 23, 2025.

He explained that he decided to make the matter public to inform organizations and individuals expecting him in the U.S. not to proceed with any travel-related plans.

> “I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” Soyinka said, expressing shock at the decision. “I don’t have any criminal record or even a misdemeanour that could warrant such an action. I keep asking myself—have I ever misbehaved toward the United States?”

According to Soyinka, the letter from the Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Section of the U.S. Consulate stated that the revocation was in accordance with U.S. Department of State regulations but gave no specific reason for the decision.

His revoked visa was a B1/B2 category, typically granted for business and tourism purposes.

Earlier in September, PM News reported that Soyinka had declined a request from the U.S. Consulate to attend a visa re-interview, saying he initially believed the notification letter was fake or a scam.

Despite the development, Soyinka emphasized that he bears no animosity toward U.S. authorities, adding that his previous interactions with American diplomats had always been cordial.

He concluded by noting that he would continue to seek clarification on the matter but does not regard the revocation as a personal attack.

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FG Removes Mathematics From Requirement For Arts Students Seeking University Admission

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially removed Mathematics as a compulsory requirement for students seeking admission into Arts and Humanities programmes in tertiary institutions across the country. The new directive was announced in the recently released National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions by the Ministry of Education.

Before now, Mathematics and English Language were mandatory subjects for all candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, regardless of their chosen field. However, under the new policy, only English Language remains compulsory for all candidates, while Mathematics will now be required solely for applicants in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Social Sciences.

The Ministry explained that the move aims to eliminate unnecessary barriers that have hindered many talented students from pursuing their preferred courses. It noted that several disciplines in the Arts and Humanities do not rely heavily on mathematical skills, and insisting on Mathematics as a core requirement had unfairly restricted access to higher education for many qualified candidates.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that the decision aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable education system. He added that the reform is designed to broaden access, promote academic diversity, and support students according to their areas of strength.

The new guideline applies to all categories of higher education institutions in Nigeria, including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation enterprise institutions. While the announcement has been met with excitement among many students and educators in the Arts, some education analysts have called for careful monitoring to ensure that academic standards are not compromised.

Overall, the policy marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s education system and is expected to ease the admission process for thousands of prospective students who excel in the humanities but have struggled with Mathematics.

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Ex-Minister Nnaji Resigns to “Protect Integrity,” Denies Forgery Claims

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Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has stepped down from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, citing the need to safeguard his integrity and prevent distractions to the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Presidency confirmed Nnaji’s resignation on Tuesday, following heightened public scrutiny over allegations of certificate forgery and inconsistencies in his academic records.

In a statement released the same day, Nnaji said his decision came after “careful reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians.” He described the claims as part of a “sustained campaign of falsehood” that he believes is politically motivated, aimed at undermining both his character and office.

“These baseless allegations and media distortions have caused personal distress and begun to distract from the important work of the ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

Nnaji emphasized that his resignation should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt, but rather as a personal choice to uphold due process and allow judicial proceedings to take their course.

“I cannot, in good conscience, allow these distractions to overshadow the noble objectives of the Tinubu administration,” he added, reaffirming his decades-long record of dedication and service.

Appointed in August 2023, Nnaji’s tenure ended amid investigations into alleged procurement irregularities and a public dispute with the Enugu State Government over the certificate forgery allegations.

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