World at Standstill for King Charles’ Coronation Today Bennett Oghifo with agency report World attention will be focused on Britain today as its first coronation in 70 years takes place, with the crowning of Charles III as king in an elaborate Christian ceremony steeped in solemn ritual and more
than a millennium of history. Leaders from across the world, including President Muhammadu Buhari are already in London for the historic event. The presidents of France and Germany and senior EU leaders will also be among the 2,300 guests attending, along with global royalty.
The coronation, the first of a British king since 1937, is the religious confirmation of his accession after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last September. Much of the Anglican service at London’s Westminster Abbey, which will also crown Charles’
second wife Camilla as queen - would be recognisable to the 74-year-old king’s forebears 1,000 years ago. But there will also be a clear departure with the involvement of women bishops, minority faith leaders and a more diverse and representative guest list of British
society than the lords and ladies of old. So too is the environmental theme at the ceremony, including vegan anointing oil and recycled ceremonial garb, reflecting Charles’s lifelong championing of sustainability and biodiversity. Coronation organiser, the
Earl Marshal, Duke of Norfolk Edward Fitzalan-Howard, called the event “a proud moment” in British history. “During the coronation, the king will swear before God and the nation to serve our country Continued on page 5
Buhari Holds Valedictory Exco Meeting May 18... Page 5 Saturday 6 May, 2023 Vol 28. No 10251
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Organ Trafficking: UK Court Jails Ekweremadu 10 Years Wife bags 4 years and 6 months Ahamefula Ogbu in Lagos and Alex Enumah in Abuja Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu was yesterday handed a nine years
and eight months jail term for organ trafficking by the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, United Kingdom. Justice Jeremy Johnson of a London court handed down
the jail term upon conviction of Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice and a UK based Medical Doctor, Obinna Obeta (who acted as the middleman) on March 23 of the said offence. The jury held
that they conspired to bring a 21-year-old, at the centre of the matter, to London to exploit him for his kidney. While Mrs Ekweremadu is to remain in a London prison for the
next four years and six months, Dr Obeta, besides bagging a 10-year imprisonment, has his medical licence suspended. However, according to Justice Johnson, after deducting the
period already spent in detention, Ekweremadu will spend about 5/6 years in prison (2/3 of his 9+ year prison sentence) while his Continued on page 5
In 13th-Year Memoriam of UmaruYar’Adua, Jonathan, Atiku,Tinubu Extol Ex-President Charles Ajunwa in Lagos, Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Presidentelect, Bola Tinubu yesterday paid tributes to ex-President Umaru Yar’Adua, to mark the 13th year of his death. Yar’Adua was sworn in as President in 2007 but died in 2010 before completing his first term, and Jonathan took over as acting President and later became the President. Jonathan, who was Yar’Adua‘s deputy, described him as a “great and selfless leader.” In a post shared via his Twitter handle yesterday, he wrote, “On this day thirteen years ago, our nation lost a great and selfless leader, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He was a man of peace, justice and accountability. “We look back with
appreciation to God for his life and his impact on our nation. “President Yar’Adua was an exemplary leader, who lived above ethnic and religious sentiments. And his public life inspired many positively. “Today, we remember him for his life of service, dedication and commitment to a united and prosperous nation. “We will continue to remember him for his developmental strides and his commitment to the peace and progress of Nigeria. – GEJ” Atiku described the late Yar’Adua as a devoted leader and champion of democracy. He said the deceased was a beacon of humility and integrity, adding that despite his illness, he fought for a better Nigeria and set the path for future leaders. “President Yar’Adua was a beacon of humility and integrity, acknowledging the shortcomings Continued on page 5
Buhari: 2023 Polls Taught Nigeria Great Lessons...Page 8
CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III… L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku and King Charles III of Britain at the Commonwealth Leaders Summit, part of the major events leading to the coronation of Charles III as King of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Commonwealth, in London…yesterday.
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