Opinion August 23, 2026 Fear mongering about AI and Pope Leo XIV’s assurances

In our contemporary world, professionals are inundated with unending stories about how technological sophistication and advances could take away their crafts, particularly with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. AI and robotics are sometimes portrayed as the factual Deus Ex Machina—the “god from the machine”—capable of literally multiplying wealth for those who possess these technologies.

We have similarly been inundated with fear-mongering tales that several of the skills we currently possess could be rendered obsolete by these scientifically advanced inventions, to the extent that even journalists and professionals and tradespeople such as chefs, drivers, typists, waiters, waitresses and bartenders have been told to prepare for redundancy. Some of the technology leaders funding these advances have also told us that the benefits of these inventions include the creation of enormous wealth.

As these fears grow over how artificial intelligence could reshape the job market and render many professionals redundant, the world’s richest technology leader, Elon Musk, has offered what one analyst described as a bold and controversial solution. Musk wrote on X: “Universal HIGH INCOME via checks issued by the Federal government is the best way to deal with unemployment caused by AI.”

Responding to one critic, Musk followed up with another claim: “AI/Robotics will mean everyone can have a penthouse if they want.” In the same breath, the technology mogul reasoned that output would be “orders of magnitude” higher, implying that scarcity would therefore cease to be a major concern.

Even the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the use of generative AI (GenAI) could decrease demand for some occupations, including transcriptionists and customer service representatives, over the decade ending in 2033.

But, as one might expect, the picture is considerably more complicated than that. The Bureau also estimates that the use of GenAI could increase demand for some professions, including software engineering, as workers will be needed to maintain the infrastructure upon which AI systems operate.

Experts, including economists and AI developers, have much to say about AI and the future of wealth. Their opinions touch on how much wealth AI and robotics will actually generate, the plausibility of universal basic income, and the future of employment.

The Catholic Church and the Ethics of Technology

The Catholic Church is obviously a major participant in the global conversation on science and technology, and the universal Church places considerable emphasis on ethics and morality in the evolution and development of science and innovation.

Pope Leo XIV has warned pointedly: “We must remain vigilant in this regard, lest innovation become another vehicle for ideological or economic colonialism.”

He has also warned against a subtle form of domination “when algorithms decide who is seen and who remains invisible, when digital platforms shape public discourse without accountability, and when the dignity of workers is subordinated to the optimization of systems.”

Family at the Heart of Legislation

For this reason, the Catholic Church proposes “the civilization of love” as a response to a “culture of power”, arguing that artificial intelligence should be governed through “charity, compassion and responsibility.”

The family, the Pope has said, is at the heart of this response because it is the first place where people learn “trust before calculation, generosity before competition, dialogue before division, and love before power.”

Pope Leo encouraged Catholic lawmakers to promote policies that “strengthen marriage and families”, support parents in “their educational mission” and enable young people to look to the future with confidence.

“Artificial intelligence must never be allowed to erode this primary cell of society—whether by reducing persons and relationships to data and simulations, by flooding young minds with content that distorts desire, or by economic models that make family life economically precarious,” he said.

The Human Limitations of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Recently, something happened in China that demonstrates how AI and robotics can only be as viable and effective as human beings allow them to be. The media reported that a bipedal Chinese humanoid robot, allegedly training for the World Humanoid Robot Games, went viral after losing control during a running test.

In a viral video shared by an X user, the robot can be seen running towards a barrier before crashing into it, with its body bending sharply at the waist and sparks coming from the machine.

The dramatic crash prompted social media users to describe the incident as the moment the “robot dies”. The incident reportedly occurred as robots prepared for the 2026 edition of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China. The event, which commenced on August 22, was expected to showcase thousands of robots and hundreds of teams.

According to reports, the humanoid robot was participating in a training session for the running competition when it appeared to lose control. In the video, it can be seen running at high speed and failing to stop before hitting a safety barrier.

The impact caused the robot’s body to bend at the waist, while sparks could be seen coming from the machine. The video was subsequently shared widely on social media and attracted millions of views.

The incident, while amusing to many observers, also provides an opportunity for a more serious reflection. Artificial intelligence and robotics remain human inventions. Their development, deployment and regulation must therefore remain subject to human judgment, ethical considerations and the broader interests of society.

I want to think alongside what the Catholic Church has said about advances in technology, artificial intelligence and robotics. These technologies should be properly legislated and regulated, with family values, human dignity and the common good placed far above the pursuit of technological sophistication and automation.

Fear-Mongering, Ethics and AI/Robotics

An article published online in a journal concerned with digital technologies and law addresses some of the anxieties surrounding the ethics of digital technologies and the legal governance of AI and robotics.

I agree with the author’s central argument that the purpose of AI was never to harm humanity. Nor was it originally intended to replace human beings or take over the human world. Rather, AI was developed to augment human capabilities, assist scientific discoveries, support people during natural disasters and pandemics, and improve efficiency across numerous areas of human activity.

AI already has numerous applications that can benefit humanity. These include medical care, mechanical engineering, semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles, automated deliveries in difficult environments such as flood-affected areas, intelligent robotics in various industries, textile engineering, aviation, traffic management and space programmes, among many others.

However, the development of AI has now reached an unprecedented level, and it is increasingly capable of performing tasks traditionally carried out by human beings. Many jobs and workflows are already being transformed or displaced by AI. That development, however, should not necessarily become a source of paralysing fear.

Technological development has historically created new forms of employment even as it eliminated or transformed existing occupations. What remains unclear is the precise balance between jobs lost and new jobs created by the latest wave of automation, particularly because the long-term effects of AI are still unfolding.

This is how technological development has progressed since the Industrial Revolution. Moving into a new domain of work after technology has disrupted an established profession is certainly not easy. We can recall the transformation of the textile industry following computerisation, when many jobs disappeared or changed and affected workers had to adapt to new forms of employment.

Once one area of work becomes obsolete or is fundamentally transformed, another area of development often emerges. When mobile phones became widespread, traditional landline telephone services declined dramatically. Yet the mobile communications industry subsequently created employment for millions of people around the world, from telecommunications engineers and software developers to manufacturers, retailers and service providers.

The lesson, therefore, should not be that humanity must fear every technological advancement. Rather, we must insist that technological progress remains subordinate to human dignity, ethical responsibility and the common good.

AI and robotics can become instruments for human development rather than instruments of human displacement. But achieving that objective requires responsible regulation, ethical leadership and policies that ensure that the benefits of technological advancement are broadly shared.

This is where Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on human dignity, family, responsibility and the common good becomes particularly relevant. The challenge before humanity is not simply whether machines will become more intelligent or capable. The greater question is whether human beings will remain wise enough to ensure that technological progress serves humanity rather than reducing human beings to mere components of an automated economic system.

Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko is the founder of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and a former National Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria.

Celebrity Entertainment News August 23, 2026 Obi Cubana gifts Pastor Jerry Eze house for 44th birthday

Businessman and socialite Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has announced plans to gift Pastor Jerry Eze a house in celebration of the cleric’s 44th birthday.

Eze, the founder of Streams of Joy International and convener of New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD), marked his birthday on Saturday.

Obi Cubana disclosed the gesture in a social media post celebrating the pastor, whom he described as one of his “most amazing brothers.”

While praising Eze for his commitment to prayer and humanitarian service, the businessman said the property would be completed before the end of the year.

“Today, I present you this house that will be ready by December as an appreciation for all you do,” Iyiegbu said.

He explained that the gift was aimed at encouraging Eze’s continued efforts in serving humanity and advancing his ministry.

In a video posted alongside the announcement, Obi Cubana recalled that he had made a personal pledge earlier in the year after Eze visited one of his properties.

According to him, he had hoped to complete one of the buildings and present it to the pastor as a birthday gift.

“Looking at these beautiful edifices, you were here in January, and I made a silent prayer to God that by our next birthday I should be able to finish and gift you one.

“But looking at it, we are still working, and hopefully it will be done soon. And I make it bold to say today I am presenting one to you as a birthday gift for the work of God and for the service of mankind,” he said.

Eze, who turned 44 on Saturday, is known for leading Streams of Joy International and hosting NSPPD, a widely followed online prayer programme.

The cleric’s birthday has also prompted congratulatory messages from friends, followers and well-wishers on social media.

News Security August 23, 2026 Troops dislodge suspected IPOB/ESN camps in Anambra, recover weapons, IED materials

Nigerian Army troops operating under the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, have raided locations suspected to be hideouts of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The operation, conducted on Saturday, August 22, 2026, involved troops working alongside the military’s Maritime Component, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and members of the Anambra Vigilante Group.

A statement on the operation said the security team launched an early-morning assault on suspected camps in Obene and Abator villages, located within the Ochuche and Umunankwo communities.

According to the military, the troops came under attack shortly after reaching the locations, prompting suspected IPOB/ESN members to abandon their positions and flee into the surrounding area.

The troops reportedly engaged the fleeing suspects and commenced a pursuit.

The Army said bloodstains were later discovered along the escape route, indicating that some of the suspects may have suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation.

One suspected member was reportedly killed during the operation, while another fleeing suspect was said to have escaped while carrying the body of a colleague who had also been killed.

The military said the operation resulted in the suspected camps being dislodged, thereby preventing the group from continuing to use the locations as bases for its activities.

During a search of the abandoned positions, the troops recovered two pump-action firearms, two motorcycles and materials suspected to be intended for the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), among other items.

The Army described the recovery of the explosive-making materials as an important achievement, saying the seizure would limit the group’s capacity to produce explosive devices that could be deployed against security personnel, infrastructure and civilians.

Following the raid, troops established positions around the affected communities and began additional searches aimed at locating fleeing suspects and stopping them from regrouping.

The Nigerian Army said it would sustain its collaboration with other security agencies under Operation UDO KA in efforts to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks operating in the South-East.

It added that the operations were designed to deny the groups safe havens, weaken their operational capabilities and strengthen security across communities in the region.

News Security August 23, 2026 Military air strikes kill 38 terrorists in Borno

The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has reportedly eliminated 38 suspected terrorists during a series of precision air strikes carried out at different locations in Borno State.

The operations, conducted between the night of August 21 and the early hours of August 22, followed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities that detected movements of suspected terrorists in the areas.

The strikes were part of intensified military efforts to weaken terrorist formations and restrict their freedom of movement across the North-East.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, an armed reconnaissance aircraft was conducting operations over Aduwa at about 10:23pm on August 21 when intelligence indicated the presence of terrorist fighters and vehicles in the area.

The aircraft reportedly monitored the location and tracked the suspected terrorists to a settlement where about eight fighters were gathered, while other groups were seen at separate positions.

Following the required operational procedures and authorisation, the aircraft reportedly carried out a precision strike on the larger concentration.

A subsequent battle damage assessment indicated that the strike hit the intended target, killing suspected terrorists who were inside makeshift structures as well as others outside the huts.

The initial operation was estimated to have killed about 16 terrorists.

Makama further reported that around midnight, the aircraft resumed surveillance and located about 10 terrorists who had escaped from the first strike area and regrouped near a tree.

A second precision strike was subsequently conducted against the group.

The publication said a post-strike assessment showed that the weapon hit the intended target, with no movement detected around the area afterwards.

The military consequently assessed that the 10 suspected terrorists had been neutralised, bringing the estimated number killed in the two related strikes to 26.

In a separate operation around the Buratai axis, another precision strike aircraft reportedly tracked approximately 12 suspected terrorists who had gathered inside a hut.

The aircraft maintained surveillance over the location before receiving authorisation to engage the target.

At about 12:31am on August 22, the attack platform reportedly struck the identified location, recording a direct hit.

According to Makama, the operation was assessed to have neutralised all 12 suspected terrorists at the site.

The combined operations bring the reported number of terrorists killed in the air strikes to 38.

Crime News August 23, 2026 New twist as OSGF appointment letter of alleged fake agency boss emerges

The National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, George Nwabueze, has rejected allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission that he is operating a fictitious federal agency.

Nwabueze, who spoke in response to the allegation, maintained that the Made in Nigeria Special Project Office is a project office domiciled within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and has existed for 16 years.

The ICPC had alleged that President Bola Tinubu ordered Nwabueze’s arrest over his role in running and promoting the organisation, which the commission described as a fake federal agency. The anti-corruption body also claimed that the outfit was being operated with the support of some senior officials in the OSGF.

But Nwabueze, while responding to enquiries, disputed the allegation and insisted that the project office was officially established within the OSGF.

“Made in Nigeria Special Project Office is a project office in the OSGF. We don’t know where fake agency comes from. A programme that has been in the SGF’s office since 16 July 2010 was just discovered yesterday (Friday). After 16 years; Nigeria is a funny country.”

He made the statement while responding to enquiries on LinkedIn, where he had published a copy of his appointment letter as evidence to counter the allegation that the office was illegal.

The appointment letter, dated October 3, 2025, was purportedly issued by the OSGF and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Nadungu Gagare.

Addressed to “Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, National Coordinator, Made in Nigeria Project Office, OSGF, Three Arms Zone, Abuja,” the letter conveyed approval for his appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office under the OSGF.

The document stated that Nwabueze’s appointment was for a five-year term beginning from July 2025, with an option for renewal.

“I am directed to formally convey the approval of your appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” the letter stated.

It added that the appointment followed “a careful evaluation of your commitment, contribution, and capacity in delivering on the mandate of the Special Project Office.”

Among the duties outlined in the letter were the supervision and development of programmes, projects and policies; coordination of regional and state coordinators across the 36 states; and the organisation of exhibitions, trade expos, economic summits and other initiatives designed to promote Nigerian products and services.

The document also stated that the project office would temporarily operate from Room B53, Ground Floor, within the OSGF complex.

“Please note that this appointment is at the pleasure of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and in line with the objectives of the Made in Nigeria initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the letter said.

Further documents posted by Nwabueze on LinkedIn indicated that the office had separately sought formal recognition as a Special Project.

A proposal dated April 17, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, was addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Titled, ‘A proposal for the Made-in-Nigeria Project to be granted Special Project status’, the document said the initiative had been operating for about five years and had promoted locally produced Nigerian goods and services within and outside the country.

It also claimed that the initiative had organised economic forums and trade exhibitions in different parts of the world and contributed to the Nigerian economy, particularly through efforts aimed at attracting foreign direct investment.

The proposal listed job creation, economic expansion and poverty reduction among the anticipated gains of granting the project special status. It also projected that the initiative would support GDP growth by strengthening domestic industries and encouraging local production.

The document further argued that promoting locally manufactured goods would reduce reliance on imports, conserve foreign exchange and improve Nigeria’s trade balance.

It said the initiative was consistent with the Federal Government’s policy of diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on crude oil and strengthening the non-oil sector.

The Permanent Secretary subsequently asked the SGF to consider the proposal, stating that special project status would improve the initiative’s credibility and effectiveness.

The controversy followed a disclosure by the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, who identified the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office among the outfits uncovered during the commission’s investigation into the alleged fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

Aliyu said investigators came across the office while examining the PFIPC and what he described as weaknesses in public service procedures.

According to the ICPC chairman, the office had been allocated space within the OSGF premises without presidential approval. He also identified Prince George Buchi Nwabueze as the promoter of the outfit and alleged that he operated under different versions of his name with the backing of some senior OSGF officials.

The documents released by Nwabueze, however, appear to challenge the assertion that the project office lacked official backing.

One of the materials published on the organisation’s LinkedIn page contained details of a stakeholders’ engagement in Nasarawa State involving Governor Abdullahi Sule.

In the report, Sule said the state had adopted the Federal Government’s Made-in-Nigeria initiative and made provision for it in the state’s 2026 budget.

“For us in Nasarawa State, we have since domesticated this initiative of the Federal Government in our solemn commitment to promote local contents and have value for resources abound in our dear state,” Sule was quoted as saying.

“I’m happy to inform you that we did not only domesticate this project, but we also accord special attention to its operationalisation by including it in our 2026 budget,” he added.

The report also quoted Nwabueze as saying the initiative was domiciled in the OSGF and had responsibility for promoting Nigeria’s national brand.

The organisation’s website listed “Nwabueze George” as “Executive Director, National Coordinator” and featured a structure comprising national, zonal and state coordinators.

Amid the conflicting claims, a staff member of the OSGF said that the office had not been operational for several months.

“It was not operating as an agency but I know was under investigation… The office was shut months ago,” the source said.

The conflicting accounts have raised questions about the exact status of the project office, its authorisation and its relationship with the OSGF.

While the ICPC maintains that the office was allocated space in the OSGF without presidential approval, Nwabueze’s documents include an appointment letter purportedly issued by the OSGF confirming his appointment to head the project office.

Meanwhile, police sources said the force had not received an official briefing concerning the matter.

According to the sources, the police would only commence a manhunt for the suspect after receiving a formal briefing on the case.

(PUNCH)

News Politics August 23, 2026 2027: Alfindiki tackles Atiku for politicising FBI records on Tinubu

Former Chairman of Kano Municipal Local Government, Hon. Faizu Alfindiki, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s renewed call for the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to release records concerning President Bola Tinubu as politically motivated.

Alfindiki questioned the timing of Atiku’s demand, suggesting that the issue could be part of an attempt to divert public attention from more pressing national matters as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku had recently challenged the FBI over its decision to withhold some records relating to President Tinubu, insisting that Nigerians should have access to information concerning the matter in the interest of transparency.

However, Alfindiki, in statement on Saturday, said questions surrounding the President’s educational background and other personal records should be addressed through recognised legal and investigative channels rather than political campaigns.

“If Atiku believes there is credible evidence of wrongdoing, he should allow the courts and appropriate institutions to examine the evidence. Political attacks and demands for selective disclosure cannot replace due process,” Alfindiki said.

He urged Nigerians to differentiate between allegations and facts established through competent authorities, noting that controversies surrounding Tinubu’s credentials had already been subjected to considerable legal and political scrutiny.

Alfindiki also questioned the approach adopted by Atiku, arguing that political arguments should be supported by verifiable evidence rather than attempts to turn records held by foreign institutions into instruments of political contestation.

“The Nigerian people deserve facts, not speculation. If there are documents that are lawfully available, let them be examined transparently. But nobody should pronounce a person guilty merely because an allegation has been made,” he said.

The APC chieftain called on Nigerians to pay greater attention to issues of governance, economic growth, security and national cohesion as the country approaches the 2027 elections.

He said political contests should centre on competing policies, ideas and records of performance, rather than controversies arising from allegations that have yet to be conclusively resolved.

“Atiku is free to challenge President Tinubu politically and legally, but Nigerians should not be misled into treating allegations as convictions. The standard must be evidence and due process,” Alfindiki added.

PlatinumPost reports that Atiku has also instituted a case at the Federal High Court seeking Tinubu’s disqualification from the 2027 presidential election over an alleged forged NYSC certificate. The allegation remains subject to judicial determination.

News Politics August 23, 2026 ‘Don’t hide truth from Nigerians’ — Atiku challenges FBI over Tinubu records

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to make public any records concerning President Bola Tinubu that can legally be released, arguing that claims of potential danger to lives should not be used to conceal information of legitimate public interest.

Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

He questioned the FBI’s reported reliance on concerns over possible threats to life as a reason for withholding information, saying Nigerians were already grappling with severe economic and security challenges.

“The FBI says disclosure could endanger lives. Which lives? Nigerians are already dying.

“In the past three and a half years since Tinubu became Nigeria’s President, he has pursued economic policies that have made his government a threat to the daily survival of ordinary Nigerians.

“Many have been killed by terrorists and bandits. Many more have died amid hunger, inability to pay medical bills and the crushing emotional and economic pressure of being unable to provide food, shelter and basic necessities for their families.

“Families that once managed three meals now struggle for one. Parents cannot afford medicines for sick children. Breadwinners are buckling under debt and unbearable economic pressure. This is the human cost of Tinubu’s senseless removal of fuel subsidy without a credible plan to protect ordinary Nigerians.

“Danger to life is therefore not a legal abstraction to Nigerians. It is a daily reality in our homes, hospitals, farms, highways and communities.

“And this is precisely why the return of fuel subsidy under my watch is not negotiable.

“I will not apologise for choosing the survival of Nigerians over economic dogma. The subsidy I propose will be targeted, transparently financed, capped and independently audited, with safeguards against corruption, diversion and criminal arbitrage.

“Fuel affects transportation. Transportation affects food prices. Energy affects production. Production affects jobs. All of them determine whether an ordinary Nigerian family can survive until the end of the month.

“So when Tinubu boasts that subsidy is gone, Nigerians should ask him what exactly he is celebrating: the empty cooking pots, abandoned medical prescriptions, unaffordable transport fares or businesses struggling to survive?

“Atiku’s Nigeria will not measure economic success by how much suffering citizens can endure.”

Addressing the FBI directly, Atiku said his request did not extend to sensitive information that could compromise American law enforcement operations.

“Protect your agents. Protect your sources. Protect legitimate investigative methods. Redact whatever American law genuinely requires you to redact.

“But do not stretch those protections until they become a bulletproof vest for Tinubu.

“Our demand of American law enforcement is not a call to interfere in Nigeria’s politics. It is a humanitarian and democratic appeal rooted in the principle that people have a right to information legitimately available about those who exercise enormous power over their lives.

“Nigerians have a democratic right to know the history and character of the man who occupies their country’s highest office. Where information relevant to that legitimate public interest rests with American law enforcement and can lawfully be disclosed, the principles of openness and democratic accountability demand that it should not be unnecessarily hidden.

“If information can lawfully be released without endangering investigators, confidential sources or legitimate law-enforcement operations, release it.

“Nigerians are not asking America to conduct our democracy for us. We are saying that American secrecy laws must not inadvertently become a sanctuary from accountability in Nigeria.

“So, to the FBI, our message is simple: Protect your investigators. Protect your sources. Protect your methods. But do not protect the truth from Nigerians. Our people are already paying for bad governance with their lives.”