Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned the National Assembly Christian Chapel, urging lawmakers to remain accountable to God while carrying out their legislative duties.

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja on Sunday, the First Lady said the chapel serves as a reminder that although members of the National Assembly legislate for the people, they ultimately remain accountable to God.

“As we dedicate this Chapel today, may it inspire humility in leadership, courage in decision-making and compassion in service,” she said. “I believe the National Assembly is ready to pray Nigeria into greatness.”

The event was attended by prominent dignitaries, including former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, who initiated the chapel project during the 8th Assembly.

In his remarks, Gowon urged legislators to ensure that all their actions serve the best interests of the nation. He emphasized that the law of God is rooted in love for God and love for one’s neighbour.

“Love must be used to ensure the unity and continuity of this nation,” he said. “God loves us all, and we must love one another.”

Dogara described the chapel as a place for genuine repentance, national healing, and unity. He noted that national development and progress are tied to repentance and spiritual reflection.

“Let it be a centre for unity and let it be about Jesus. The only thing that can keep us here is unity,” he stated.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continues to receive support because of the quality of his leadership and reform agenda. He urged Nigerians to look beyond religious differences and focus on leadership competence.

“While men legislate for a season, God legislates for eternity,” Akpabio said. “Lawmaking must be guided in conscience, anchored in righteousness and established through prayers.”

Prayers were offered for the nation, the president, government officials, and members of the National Assembly. The commissioning ceremony was attended by serving and former lawmakers, as well as Christian and non-Christian members of the Assembly.

The Presidency has dismissed viral social media reports alleging that kitchen staff at the Presidential Villa were arrested over a purported plot to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The claim, which circulated widely over the weekend, suggested that a presidential chef had been detained following intelligence reports of suspicious activities linked to food preparation within restricted areas of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

Reacting to the development, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, categorically denied the allegation. In a post on his official X account on Sunday, Onanuga described the report as false and urged the public to disregard it.

The viral video accompanying the claim purportedly showed scenes from the presidential environment, with a voiceover alleging that security agencies had launched a discreet operation after receiving intelligence about a possible threat to the President’s safety. It further claimed that a member of the kitchen staff had been taken into custody for questioning.

According to the narration, specialised security personnel were said to have intervened swiftly to neutralise potential risks while preventing public panic, adding that investigations were ongoing.

However, the Presidency rejected the report outright.

“No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video,” Onanuga stated.

The Presidency’s response comes amid growing concerns over the spread of misinformation on social media, with officials urging citizens to verify information from credible sources before sharing.

Hundreds of thousands of travellers have been left stranded after airspace closures across much of the Middle East followed coordinated strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel.

Major aviation hubs in the Gulf; including airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, were shut down on Saturday, triggering widespread flight cancellations and travel disruptions Among them is Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest transit hubs connecting Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Authorities also closed airspace over Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, while southern Syria restricted flights. Several international airlines announced temporary suspensions of routes to and through the region.

The shutdown has forced tourists and business travelers to crowd airports and hotels as they attempt to rebook flights or contact overwhelmed airline customer service lines. Governments in multiple countries have advised their citizens in affected areas to shelter in place until further notice.

The closures come amid escalating tensions following the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, which reportedly resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The strikes have significantly heightened fears of a wider regional conflict.

In Dhaka, passengers at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport expressed frustration and uncertainty about their travel plans. Mohammad Abdul Mannan, who was scheduled to travel to the Middle East for work, said his primary concern was not the conflict itself but the impact on his livelihood.

“We have set out to go for work, and we must go,” he said. “My only concern is how to go abroad and how to earn an income.”

With no clear timeline for the reopening of key airports or the resumption of flights, aviation authorities warn that disruptions could continue as the security situation evolves.