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.

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.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State has affirmed its full support for the Senator representing Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone’s reelection bid. Speaking at the senator’s country home in Sapele on Saturday, Hon. Francis Okpigbe, the Sapele APC Local Government Chairman, who led the newly elected APC executives on a thank-you visit, said the move was a show of unity and appreciation for Dafinone’s stabilising role during the recent local government congress.

Hon. Francis Okpigbe declared, “Come 2027, our senator will return to Abuja and remain there until 2031. That is what we stand for,” drawing applause from party faithful present at the meeting. According to the Local Government chairman, the visit was intended to express gratitude for the senator’s unwavering support before, during, and after the congress, which he said was conducted peacefully in Sapele despite reported tension in some areas. Okpigbe stated, “In many other local governments and states in the country, there was rancour, disagreements, and struggles for control. But in Sapele, we did not experience that. The process was smooth, and we were able to produce a harmonised list that carried everyone along.”

He credited the senator’s leadership style and commitment to consensus for the calm atmosphere that characterised the exercise. Okpigbe added, “Despite being a high-ranking public officer, he did not create problems. Instead, he worked harmoniously with leaders in the local government to ensure that all stakeholders were accommodated. That is why we are here to say thank you.” The chairman emphasised that the new executives emerged through a process rooted in unity and service, not personal ambition. “These offices are not financial offices. They are positions of responsibility. We understand that our duty is to work and ensure that APC carries the day from A to Z in 2027,” he said.

Hon. Francis Okpigbe also urged party leaders and stakeholders to intensify grassroots mobilisation, particularly with voter registration ongoing, stressing that electoral victory depends on numbers. “If you are not registered, you cannot vote. The strength that guarantees victory lies in the number of registered voters we can mobilise. I call on every stakeholder to ensure that those who are 18 and above are registered,” Okpigbe charged. Reaffirming the loyalty of the Sapele APC structure, he described the executives as the senator’s “first eleven” and pledged total support for his political future. “We are grateful for the confidence you have reposed in us. On behalf of everyone here, we say thank you. Come 2027, Sapele APC will stand solidly with you,” he declared.

Responding, Senator Dafinone commended the executives for their unity and urged them to maintain cohesion within the party. The senator said, “From now on, I do not want to hear anyone talking about factions. You are all one APC now. There is no need to dwell on yesterday.” He called for competence, regular consultations, and stronger ward-level engagement. Senator Dafinone stressed that the party must operate as one united team and remain focused on delivering results. “You all must work together to deliver APC in all the units, wards and Sapele local government, 2027; it must be 5/5.” The visit signals early political consolidation within Sapele APC as leaders begin positioning for the 2027 electoral contest, with the Local Government chairman making it clear that the local government chapter is firmly behind Dafinone’s continued representation of Delta Central in the Senate.