Dr. Tanko Yunusa, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, has expressed strong confidence that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, will secure victory in the 2027 presidential race.

Yunusa attributed this optimism to Obi’s impressive track record and public support.

Speaking in Onitsha, Anambra State, during a good governance symposium organized by the Obidient Movement for the Southeast geopolitical zone, Yunusa stated, “History will not repeat itself. In 2023, Obi’s victory was denied through electoral malpractice, but this time, we are determined to ensure fair play.”

He added that the movement is committed to pushing for electoral reforms, deploying adequate agents at polling units, and  advocating for the appointment of an INEC chairman by the public rather than the president.

Yunusa also pointed out that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has failed to meet the expectations of various regions, including the North, East, and West, thereby bolstering Obi’s chances in 2027.

Prof. Pat Utomi, who delivered the keynote address at the symposium, emphasized the need for collective action through movements like the Obidient Movement to bring about meaningful change in Nigeria.

“This movement is about sacrifice, and together, we can make Nigeria a new one,” Utomi said.

The convener of the Peter Obi Support Network and Chairman of the symposium’s Planning Committee, Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke, explained that the event aimed to chart a new course for the Obidient Movement in the South-East and strengthen its partnerships with Anambra State support groups.

The focus was on strategic development and enhancing the movement’s impact.

Governorship aspirants of the Labour Party, including Chief Valentine Ozigbo, Chief John Nwosu, and Chief Ikenna Azomcine, also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of transforming Anambra State and fostering good governance.

The Government of Anambra State has reacted to the arrest of the Ogbaru local Government Chairman, Franklin Nwadialo, for an alleged internet scam, locally referred to as Yahoo.

The State Government said it cannot speak for or against the internet romance allegations levelled against Ogbaru council chairman, Franklin Nwadialo, who was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Franklin Nwadialo was arrested in Texas, United States, for allegedly running a $3.3 million romance scam.

If the Ogbaru Local Government Chairman is found guilty of the crime in US court, he risks a 20-year jail term.

In an interview with the Nation, on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Dr. Law Mefor, said Nwadialo is not an appointee of GovernorChukwuma Soludo, but an elected council chairman, stating that he was chosen by Ogbaru people and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Mefor added that the local government has autonomy, and he only speaks for the state government and not the local government.

“He was chosen by his people and the political party he belongs. He’s not an appointee of Soludo, therefore I cannot speak for his conduct.

“Those who elected him should answer such questions whether the offence is true or not because I only speak for the state government and not local government, autonomy has come now,” the Nation quoted him.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, which will focus on the current situation in the Middle East.

Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Saturday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The Summit will commence on Monday, November 11, 2024.

It is being held at the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and follows last year’s summit in the same Saudi city.

During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to address the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, emphasising Nigeria’s strong call for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.

The statement added: “Nigeria will also advocate for renewed efforts to revive the two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace in the region.

“Key officials including the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, will accompany the President. Other members of the entourage are the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Mohammed Mohammed.

“After the conclusion of the summit, President Tinubu will return to Abuja.”

Singer Rihanna has said despite music making her famous, it wasn’t God’s plan for her.

The billionaire businesswoman spoke at the launch of her Fenty Beauty brand in her native country, Barbados, on Thursday.

“Music was the thing that got the attention, but God had other plans for me, and I was able to create in ways that were very sincere, genuine, organic and authentic to the things that I love,” she said.

Forbes certified Rihanna a billionaire a few years ago after her net worth crossed the one billion dollar mark.

Earnings from her makeup brand, Fenty Beauty formed the bulk of her net worth.

Earnings from record sales and tours also contributed to her net worth.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, says Lakurawas, a new terrorist group, is offering financial incentives to lure youths in Sokoto.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) recently declared nine suspected members of the Lakurawas terrorist group wanted.

Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, said the new terror group emerged from the Niger Republic following the coup, which disrupted military cooperation between Nigeria and the country.

He said the terrorists began infiltrating northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states from Niger Republic and Mali.

According to Zagazola Makama, the new terrorist group is offering as much as N1 million to young men in exchange for their allegiance.

Makama, quoting sources, said the financial incentives are part of an aggressive recruitment campaign aimed at attracting followers to their cause.

“Unlike traditional criminal gangs, the Lakurawa are reported to adhere to extremist ideologies linked to the Khawarij sect, similar to the beliefs of Boko Haram,” the publication said.

“Local sources suggest that they employ a combination of financial incentives and ideological influence to gain support among vulnerable communities.

“Beyond the recruitment, the Lakurawa reportedly confront and expel bandits and confiscate their cattle in areas under their control.

“The Lakurawa extremists are yet to carry out any attack in the North West.”

Producer and music executive, Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, has urged men to be more serious about combating paternity fraud.

He urged men to conduct DNA tests on their children to ascertain their true paternity.

According to him, conducting a DNA test is more important than naming ceremony.

On his Instagram story, Jazzy wrote, “DNA test is more important than naming ceremony.”

DAILY POST reports that Nigerians have been divided over whether DNA tests are necessary or not, given recent cases of paternity fraud.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has confirmed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current director-general, as the sole candidate for the position.

According to a statement from the organisation on Saturday, Okonjo-Iweala confirmed her willingness to serve a second four-year term on September 16.

The WTO formally began the process to appoint its next director-general on October 8, allowing members until November 8 to submit nominations.

In a message to members, Petter Olberg, chair of the WTO’s general council, announced that no additional nominations were received by the November 8 deadline.

“Under the procedures for the appointment of Directors-General (WT/L/509), I am required to communicate to Members a consolidated list of candidatures received for the post of Director-General immediately after the close of the nomination period, in this case 8 November 2024,” the statement reads.

“I would like to advise members that at the end of the nomination period the only candidacy received for this post is from Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the incumbent director-general.

“The notification received from Dr Okonjo-Iweala pursuant to paragraph 12 of the Procedures in WT/L/509, was circulated to all Members together with my communication in document JOB/GC/406, dated 16 September 2024.”

The organisation noted that the general council chair would communicate the next steps in the process soon.

WTO added that Okonjo-Iweala’s current term will come to an end on August 31, 2025.

On February 15, 2021, Okonjo-Iweala was appointed as the director-general of the WTO.

She made history as the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO.

Okonjo-Iweala’s second-term bid had been in doubt after Donald Trump’s victory in the United States presidential election on Wednesday.

Trump’s administration blocked her nomination in October 2020, in support of Yoo Myung-hee, former South Korean trade minister.

However, after losing his second-term presidential bid in November of the same year, Joe Biden’s administration backed Okonjo-Iweala for the WTO DG job.

Babatunde Fashola, former governor of Lagos, has asked Nigerian youths to remain in the country despite economic challenges.

In recent times, there has been a wave of migration by Nigerians who are seeking greener pastures abroad. “Japa” is a popular word used to describe migration in the country.

Speaking on Saturday at the combined 8th and 9th convocation ceremonies of Elizade University in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo state, Fashola encouraged the youth to strive for positions of influence in the country instead of seeking opportunities abroad.

He said leaders don’t run away even when things are tough.

“Why did Mrs Folorunso Alakija not run away? Why did Chief Tunde Afolabi, who has contributed to Nigeria, not run away? Why are they still here?” Fashola asked.

“Times were equally tough in their younger days. The youths have become leaders in the Nigerian household, and therefore, they must embrace that responsibility.

“Do leaders also run away when it is difficult? There were tough times when Chief Ade-Ojo was at the University of Nigeria (UNN), but Ade-Ojo didn’t leave. If he had left, there would be no Elizade University.”

 

Michael Ade-Ojo, the founder of Elizade University, expressed satisfaction with the institution’s mission to produce world-class graduates and support the nation’s education system.

Ade-Ojo encouraged the university to prioritise research and entrepreneurship training, noting  that it would equip students to make contributions to national development.

“I have been intentionally sacrificial with my investment in the university. It, therefore, gladdens my heart to see the seeds I sowed to humanity already bringing forth useful fruits,” Ade-Ojo said.

“My vision has always been to provide world-class education right here in Nigeria, and while there’s still work to be done, I am pleased with how far we have come.”

Kayode Ijadunola, the university’s vice-chancellor, said the institution is committed to producing graduates with skills to address Nigeria’s economic and technological challenges.

“With new developments, a growing research portfolio, and strong community ties, Elizade University is poised to continue its upward trajectory in Nigerian higher education,” Ijadunola said.

Musiliu Akinsanya, former chairman of the Lagos chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has been elected as the national president of the union.

Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, was the sole candidate in the election which took place at the union’s zonal secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun state.

Delegates from the four south-west states of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti participated in the election.

The election, which was held during the union’s quadrennial delegate conference, was monitored and observed by Aliyu Issa-Ore, the acting national president of the transport group.

Speaking with the delegates, Issa-Ore said the union’s constitution stipulates that the zone permitted to fill the national president’s position would elect its preferred candidate and present them to the national body.

The acting NURTW president, represented by Adedamola Salam, head of finance at the national headquarters in Abuja, said the south-west zone has fully complied with the constitution in electing Oluomo as president.

The delegates also elected Tajudeen Agbede as vice-president, south-west, while Akeem Adeosun was chosen as trustee from the zone.

Speaking after taking the oath of office, Akinsanya said members of the NURTW must ensure that they are committed to the preservation of the union.

“I have forgiven everyone who has offended me, and I hope those I have offended will forgive me as well,” he said.

“This is our union, and we must be committed to preserving it. We will not allow anyone to destroy our means of livelihood.”

In 2022, the NURTW suspended Akinsanya over alleged misconduct, insubordination and incitement but the suspension was lifted in 2023.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu says she is not involved in organising a national prayer.

Tinubu and Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), were reportedly billed to lead a national prayer over the challenges plaguing Nigeria.

The 7-day event, titled ‘Seeking the Intervention of God in Nigeria’s Affairs’, is said to be organised in conjunction with Christian and Muslim leaders.

Segun Afolorunikan, director-general of the National Prayer Forum (NPF), who announced the initiative, said Christians would meet at the National Ecumenical Centre for a week-long intercession while Muslims would gather at the National Mosque in Abuja.

But in a statement on Saturday, Busola Kukoyi, senior special assistant on media to the first lady, distanced her principal from the organisation of any prayers.

Kukoyi added that though Tinubu is an advocate of prayer, she “believes that prayer is an act that must be done willingly, conscientiously and correctly”.

“She also believes that praying for Nigeria is the responsibility of every Nigerian, irrespective of religious belief, political affiliation, tribe or tongue,” Kukoyi said.

“This is to clarify and inform the general public that the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON is not organizing a National Prayer.

“The news making rounds in some conventional and social media platforms are unfounded and misleading. Consequently, anyone who might have come across the purported news of the joint National Prayer for Nigeria should disregard it as false.

“Members of the public are advised to verify the authenticity of any news or event involving the First Lady of Nigeria or her Office through Official channels. Kindly be advised accordingly.”

Meanwhile, the first lady was reported as leading, not organising the prayer session.

Kukoyi did not state whether Tinubu would partake in the event and in what capacity.