When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, becoming the first American to lead the Catholic Church, an unlikely childhood prediction came true.

The pontiff’s elder brother, John Prevost, revealed in an interview with ABC News that a neighbourhood woman once foretold this when his brother was just in first grade.

“…when he was in first grade, a woman across the street that we used to play with, and a woman down the street, said he would be the first American pope,” said John.

Cardinal Prevost, 69, made history on May 8 when white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney to signal his election as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Chicago native’s ascension marked an unprecedented moment as the first United States cardinal to assume the papacy.

“It’s kind of surreal. To be honest, there hasn’t been a chance to think about it because it’s been constant phone calls, emails, messages, and interviews. So I don’t think it’s really sunk in.

“It’s great pride. This is an awesome thing in the sense that it’s not only the first pope from America, but the first American pope—from Chicago and a relative. Not a lot of people can say, ‘My brother is the pope,’” John added.

John further described the moment he learnt about his brother’s election: “I was watching TV. I got a text that said there was white smoke. So I went down and turned the TV on. No one knew at that point who the pope was, but there was white smoke, so we knew,” he recalled.

He went on to say that he called his niece, and they watched together while the curtains stirred at the balcony of St. Peter’s.

“She said, ‘Look, the curtains are moving.’ I said, ‘Well, something’s coming up.’ Then it came out who was going to announce it, and we heard the name. She screamed and I said, ‘Oh my gosh, here we go.’ And then it has been nonstop—phones, everything else,” John said with excitement on his face.

Despite his brother’s prominence in the Church, John said he never expected him to become pope, largely because of geopolitical assumptions.

“To tell you the truth, no,” he said, “I kept hearing there will never be an American pope just because of politics and the fact that the United States has too much world power now. They don’t need that influence also in the Church. So I did not expect it.”

“When I heard he was in a group of three, then I thought, ‘Well, this could happen.’” he added.

“I spoke to him Tuesday before he went into the conclave, and he just kept saying, ‘No, that’s not true. That’s not true.’ He was pushing it away, hoping it would go away, and it didn’t go away.”

John, who described his brother as a humble and grounded man, said he was shaped by years of mission work among the poor and marginalised in South America.

“A regular, run-of-the-mill person. “I think because he was trained in missionary work in South America for so many years, he will be looking out for the disenfranchised. He will be looking out for the poor. He will be looking out for those that don’t have a voice. I think he will follow in Saint Francis—pardon me, Pope Francis, as you say,” he said.

Asked if the new pope would differ from his predecessor, John said, “I don’t know that you’ll see a big difference. He met Pope Francis before he was pope, when he was in Argentina and my brother was in Peru. That’s how the connection began. I think they kind of believed in the same issues, so I don’t know that there’ll be much difference. He might prove me wrong, but I don’t see there being much of a break in the tradition of Pope Francis.”

Though Pope Leo XIV grew up on the South Side of Chicago, John said his brother was rarely home after his early teens.

“He wasn’t around a whole lot because after eighth grade graduation, he went immediately to the seminary,” John explained adding that, “He was in Holland, Michigan at the Augustinian seminary for four years, and then he went into Villanova University. So he wasn’t home a lot during summer vacations.”

Speaking further on their childhood memory, John said it was filled with the simplicity of American upbringing, long before the world would call his brother “Your Holiness.”

“That’s right,” John said with a smile, “My brother is the pope.”

“The Board’s decision to withhold the results of this category of candidates to send a clear message that those who engage in such activities are complicit in wrongdoing, regardless of whether the efforts succeed or fail,” he said.

He also reported challenges with biometric verification, with 2,157 candidates failing to confirm their candidature due to failed biometric authentication.

“There was the initial report from registration centres of 578 candidates whose biometric details were allegedly not capturable during the registration for whom the Board created another opportunity.

“Many of them were eventually successfully captured and verified for registration and were able to sit the examination without any hindrances. Only 69 candidates were granted exemption from the biometric verification process.

He added that investigations are ongoing, and those found not to be at fault would be rescheduled to sit the examination.

“A total of 3,656 candidates fall within this category. Consequently, the results of the candidates have been withheld,” he said.

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said its operatives have apprehended one Mr. Madu Abuchi Simon, involved in the sale and production of adulterated and expired alcoholic beverages in Lagos.

NAFDAC, on its official X on Thursday, said Simon was caught in the act of falsifying popular alcoholic drinks including Hennessy, William Lawson, Baileys, Martell, St. Remy, and Jameson.

It added that the agency’s operatives confiscated over 100 cartons of assorted adulterated alcoholic beverages valued at more than N114 million, and the shop was sealed pending further notice.

The statement read, “NAFDAC has uncovered an operative involved in the sale and of adulterated and expired alcoholic beverages in Lagos. One Mr. Madu Abuchi Simon was caught in the act of falsifying popular alcoholic brands including Hennessy, William Lawson, Baileys, Martell, St. Remy, and Jameson.

“Over 100 cartons of assorted alcoholic beverages, valued at more than N114 million, were evacuated. The outlet has been sealed pending further investigation.”

The agency advised the public to buy alcoholic products only from reputable vendors and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest NAFDAC office.

NAFDAC said it remains committed to protecting public health and ensuring consumer safety.

Muhammad Ali Pate, minister of health and social welfare, and Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, director of nutrition at the federal ministry of health, have been named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Global Health.

The list, released on Thursday, celebrates trailblazers who are shaping policy, driving innovation, and making significant strides in the global health space.

Pate and Bako-Aiyegbusi are the only Nigerians to make the magazine’s 2025 list. 

TIME described Pate as a reformer shaped by both personal experiences and global exposure, while Bako-Aiyegbusi was recognised for her innovative, homegrown approaches to addressing Nigeria’s malnutrition crisis.

Reacting to the recognition in a post shared on X, Pate expressed gratitude for being recognised alongside Bako-Aiyegbusi.

He said the honour reflects Nigeria’s ongoing health reform efforts under the health sector renewal investment initiative (NHSRII), which is backed by President Bola Tinubu.

“I am deeply honored to share that Nigeria’s ongoing health sector reform, under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (#NHSRII), has received global recognition, as I have been named to @TIME’s list of the 100 Most #Time100 Influential People in Global Health, released today,” he wrote.

“Proud to also have been named along with the Director of Nutrition in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare @Fmohnigeria, Dr. (Mrs) Ladidi K. Bako-Aiyegbusi.”

President Bola Tinubu has appointed governing boards and managing directors for the recently established north-central, south-west and south-south development commissions.

In a letter read on the floor of the red chamber on Thursday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu sought the red chamber’s confirmation of the appointees.

NORTH CENTRAL 

The president nominated Cosmas Akyhir as chairman of the board. Akyhir hails from Benue state.

Tsenyil Yiltsen, who is from Plateau, was appointed managing director of the commission.

Other members of the board are James Uloko (Benue), Atika Ajanah (Kogi), Bilgis Jumoke Sanni (Kwara), Aishatu Ibrahim (Nasarawa), and Muhammad Bashar (Niger).

They also include Dauda Kigbu (Nasarawa), Zakari Jikantoro (Niger), Sulaiman Ali (Kogi), Bunmi Olusona (Kwara), Umar Mantu, (Plateau), Atotse Abraham (Benue), Solomon Adodo (FCT), Abdulkadir Usman (north-west), Habu Maman (north-east), Atinuke Owolabi (south-west), Rachael Nse (south-south), and Boniface Izziogu (south-east).

SOUTH WEST 

For the South West Development Commission (SWDC), Tinubu nominated Olubunmi Adetunmbi as chairman; and Charles Akinola as managing director.

Other nominees include Bolaji Ariyo, Joseph Olugbenga, Scholastica Omoworare, Olumuyiwa Olabimtan, Adewinle Martins, Ibrahim Olaifa, Kabiru Lakwaya, Abdul Adamu, Arinola Fagbemi, Ukoha Onyekwere, Howell Ihenacho, Olugbenga Olufehinti, Tele Ogunjobi, Funmilayo Tejuosho, Fatai Ibikunle, and Lateef Ajijola.

SOUTH SOUTH 

The president nominated Chibudom Nwuche as chairman of the South South Development Commission, and Usoro Akpabio, who is from Akwa Ibom, as the managing director. 

Also appointed to the board are Marcus Eji (Rivers), Aganaba Steven (Bayelsa), Timi Ayibatonye (Delta), Joseph Ugheoke (Edo), and Sony Abang (Cross River).

Other members include Larry Odey (Cross River), Charles Zuofa (Bayelsa), Nkereuwem Ebong(Akwa Ibom), Chika Chinedu (Rivers), Femi Oise (Edo), Charles Enukhowhate (Delta), Tijani Kaura(north-west), Tabitha Sallah (north-east), Yusuf Amao (north-central), Joseph Mmamal (south-east), and Bukonola Braimoh (south-west).

After reading the president’s request, Akpabio referred the letter to the relevant committees for screening and confirmation.

Desmond Elliot, the actor-turned-politician, has revealed how he narrowly escaped an attack by unknown assailants during the 2020 EndSARS protests.

In an interview on Nollywood On Radio, the Lagos lawmaker recounted being trapped in his Surulere constituency office due to the curfew, only to face a life-threatening ambush.

Elliot explained that after being unable to return home to Lekki because of the curfew, he decided to spend the night in his office.

The 51-year-old politician said while relaxing and watching TV, chaos erupted when he heard his landlady’s daughter screaming and attempting to shield him by shouting, “he doesn’t stay here!”

Elliot disclosed that the situation escalated when a bottle filled with fuel and fire was hurled into his office, causing a fire. He added that “I have never been so scared in my life”.

“When there was curfew during the EndSARS period, a lot of bad boys came into Surulere and because of the curfew I could not go home,” he said.

“I was stucked in Lekki so I could not go home and has to go back to my office in Surulere.

“I was inside my office and never knew there was going to be anything so I was watching the TV in my office because I had intention the intention to spend the night at the office.

“Next thing, I heard my landlady’s daughter screaming, saying I don’t stay there.

“When I knew there was a problem was when a bottle with fuel and fire was thrown into my office and it caught fire.

“I had to call the chief of staff for help. I have never been so scared in my life, it was horrible.”

During the EndSARS protests, Elliot faced backlash for his words and actions, which ultimately led to him being labeled “Nigeria Twitter’s number one scapegoat”, as memes and banter from users targeted him for days.

A viral post claims, based on International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections, that Nigeria ranks fourth among the world’s fastest-growing economies in 2025.

The post — “Fastest Growing Economies in 2025” — ranks countries by projected GDP growth and places Nigeria in joint third (alongside Saudi Arabia) at 3.0 percent. India tops the list with 6.2 percent, followed by China with 4.0 percent.

The post attributes the data to the IMF and features images of world leaders, reinforcing the impression of a definitive global ranking.

The post has been widely shared across social media platforms. It can be seen here, here, and here.

VERIFICATION 

The IMF’s World Economic Outlook (April 2025) projects that Nigeria’s GDP will grow 3.0 percent in 2025.

However, a review of the full IMF dataset shows that Nigeria is not the world’s fourth fastest-growing economy, as the post suggests.

Several countries, including Libya (17.3%), Senegal (8.4%), Rwanda (7.1%), Tajikistan (6.7%), and Niger (6.6%), are projected to grow at significantly higher rates.

The countries listed in the IMF data are absent from the infographic.

Furthermore, the IMF does not rank countries globally by growth in its official publications. Instead, it classifies economies into three broad groups: advanced economies, emerging markets, developing economies, and low-income developing countries.

 

This grouping is based on structural economic differences. In economics, comparing the growth rate of developed countries (like the US, UK, Japan) with that of developing countries (like Nigeria) is inappropriate.

Developed countries are typically in a steady-state growth phase, operating near their production possibility frontier.

Their growth rates are naturally lower, usually between 1 and 2 percent. Developing economies have more room to grow and often post higher rates due to ongoing structural transformation and catch-up growth.

The viral infographic presents a misleading view of Nigeria’s growth position by ignoring these distinctions and merging countries from different development levels into one global league table.

VERDICT

While the IMF projects that Nigeria’s economy will grow by 3.0 percent in 2025, the claim that it is the fourth fastest-growing economy in the world is misleading.

The claim is based on a selective reading of IMF data and omits several countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, that are projected to grow faster.

The claim also disregards standard economic classifications, discouraging direct comparisons between advanced and developing economies

The Lagos State Government has issued a demolition notice to owners of 39 buildings in various estates in the Lekki area for encroaching on the Ikota River setback, as part of efforts to restore the natural drainage path and tackle persistent flooding in the area.

The affected buildings are spread across Oral Estate (18 units), Lekki County (13 units), and Westend Estate (8 units).

The demolition notice follows the expiration of all previously served contravention notices.

Speaking with journalists after an inspection tour on Thursday, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the state government has decided to extend the evacuation deadline, allowing residents more time to relocate their families and valuables before enforcement begins.

“We have said to our officials, let us allow them to move their things out; family men and women with children reside here. So whilst that is ongoing, we poked the walls as a signal of our readiness to restore the right of way,” Wahab said.

He warned, however, that the government will not tolerate further defiance, especially as some developers continue to illegally reclaim land and push back the river despite ongoing consultations.

“At Lekki County here, what some developers are doing is reclamation and the government needs to put them in check; if you are doing a reclamation, the first thing you have to obtain is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Drainage Clearance documents and most of them do not have it,” he added.

Wahab stressed that the government had a digital map of the Ikota River and had recorded significant encroachment.

He ordered a halt to all ongoing reclamation activities in Lekki County, declaring them illegal and damaging to the environment.

The Commissioner noted that while some homeowners are cooperating and have admitted to the irregularities, the state is taking a measured approach to avoid undue hardship.

“What we also seek to do is engage homeowners properly because developers are selling and giving titles to innocent buyers of value. That’s why I say let those people who are innocent, who have their children in schools, not get their lives disrupted because you want to enforce,” he stated.

“Homeowners affected are not disputing the fact that something is wrong; they have all admitted it, but they are appealing to the government to give them time to find a way to reset themselves.”

The Kaduna State Polytechnic has expelled 63 students and suspended 36 others for various academic offences, including fraudulent admissions and examination malpractice.

The disciplinary actions were approved during the institution’s 114th Academic Board Meeting held on April 30, 2025.

In a circular dated May 5, 2025, and signed by Deputy Registrar (Academic Affairs), Abdullahi Muhammad, sighted on Thursday, the polytechnic’s Registrar, Dr. Muhammed Tanimu, communicated the board’s decision to all staff and students.

“The Academic Board, at its 114th Regular Meeting held on 30th April, 2025, considered reports of the Fraudulent Admission and Related Matters Investigation Committee (FARMIC) and the Examination Misconduct Cases and Malpractice Committee (EMCMC) and approved the following measures against the students listed below,” the circular stated.

The FARMIC panel found that five, including Essien, Margret Lawrence and Maryam Nasir, gained admission fraudulently, resulting in the withdrawal of their admissions or expulsion.

The EMCMC committee indicted over 70 students from the Mass Communication, Building Technology, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, and Architecture departments.

Some of the students expelled include Lawrence Samuel Anto (Building Technology), Fauziya Abdulrahman Buba (Mass Communication), and Ibrahim Muhammed Nazeer (Civil Engineering). Others, like Joseline Beauty Jonah and Muazu Umar, received varying degrees of suspension.

However, three students, including Abubakar Ibrahim Ashir of the Computer Science Department, were exonerated after investigations found no evidence of wrongdoing.

The polytechnic warned that it would continue to impose stiff penalties on students found guilty of academic misconduct to maintain integrity and discipline on campus.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State to provide him with a plot of land in the state to build a retirement home.

Tinubu made the request on Thursday during a reception organized in his honour following his visit to Anambra, where he commissioned a series of infrastructural projects described as “legacy” efforts.

Addressing the crowd, the president expressed his long-standing ties with the state.

“Many of my friends are from Anambra State, and I have seen many of them today,” he said, shortly after receiving a chieftaincy title from the state’s traditional rulers.

“Going forward, we are not just friends. I am now a bona-fide son of the soil – one of you, your own son,” Tinubu added, drawing loud cheers from the audience.

He went on to say, “Maybe my friend and your governor, Charles Soludo, should find me a plot of land for my retirement home after service,” before jokingly adding, “You don’t have to move me from the Villa for only one week. Give me a permanent abode.”

The president was earlier conferred with the traditional title “Dike si Mba” by the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, which was presented to him at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.

According to the council’s chairperson and traditional ruler of Obosi, Chidubem Iweka, the title – which translates to “Warrior from the Diaspora” – was awarded in recognition of Tinubu’s contributions to national development.

“This is a title from all the royal fathers in the 179 communities of Anambra State,” Iweka noted.

In his acceptance speech, Tinubu recalled being given a chieftaincy title by a traditional ruler in the state back in 2005 and said he was deeply honoured by this new recognition.

“To have all the traditional rulers of Anambra confer another title on me is not only historic but one which I will greatly treasure for the rest of my life,” he said.