I Remain Devoted to a Better Nigeria anchored on Youth Development: Peter Obi says

The Presidential Candidate of the Labor Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to assembling a productive nation anchored on youths’ development, saying that their youthful energy, skills and potentials were critical ingredients needed to maneuver the state from consumption to production.

Obi revealed this steadfast commitment in his International Youth Day Message.

He stated that the dream of rescuing the country from leadership failure won't come to fruition without the assistance of the youths whose future, he said, was being damaged by bad governance within the country.

“Everywhere you get in the globe, the youths have always championed paradigm shifts in society. The political awakening you notice among Nigerian youths today signifies the hunger and desire in them for an improved nation that represents their interests,” Obi said.

He lamented the myriad challenges facing Nigerian youths, as exemplified by a high rate of youth unemployment; little or no access to funding for little businesses; lack of excellent education, as witnessed by the incessant industrial actions that have enveloped Nigeria’s public universities, among others, as factors militating against the success of the youths.

He argued that such neglect of youth development is currently contributing to the nation’s woes by way of rising insecurity and violence, a really unproductive workforce and an unmatched level of abuse, which is currently prevalent within the country.

Obi expressed hope within the new Nigeria, where people’s talents and skills will match their opportunities in life.

“I have always maintained that the society we abuse today will take its revenge on us tomorrow. One cannot expect peace and progress during a nation where over 1/2 the massive youth population don't know where their next meal will come from. Our students are reception for over five months because of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, strike.

That is not the sort of future we would like to create for our youngsters,” Obi submitted.

He urged the govt. to create a nation that inspires hope in its citizens, especially the youths. He maintained that if the govt. continues to pay a deaf ear to the yearnings of its youthful population, Nigeria will still foot-drag its thanks to growth and development.

While wishing Nigerian youths well on the occasion of their International Youth Day Celebration, Obi encouraged them to stay of excellent character and conduct, while contributing their quota to the expansion of the country.

International Youth Day is well known globally on August 12 each year.

Also yesterday, the previous national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Okwesilieze Nwodo, has said that the Labor, LP, presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has an infinite capacity to guide Nigeria as its President.

He said that this wave of support across the six geo-political zones of the country in favour of the LP candidate could be a demonstration that Nigerians believe his ability to show the country around permanently.

While bemoaning the worsening insecurity within the country, he said that the centralized isn't sincere in its fight against insurgency and banditry, adding that Nigerian security agencies have the time to secure the country if the leaders show sincere commitment in their fight against insecurity.

Nwodo, who was a former governor of Enugu State also expressed optimism that the 2023 general elections would hold but challenged the centralized to point out sincere efforts in securing the lives and properties of Nigerians.

Nysom Wike prosecutes Atiku, Tambuwal, and demands recognition as candidate

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has prosecuted the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar; the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and therefore the PDP over the conduct of the presidential primary of the party that was held was in Abuja on May 28 and should 29, 2022.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, Wike and a PDP chieftain, Newgent Ekamon, are listed because the plaintiffs. Within the originating summons, the PDP is listed because the first respondent while the Independent National Electoral Commission is that the 2nd respondent. Tambuwal and Atiku are listed because the 3rd and 4th respondents respectively.

During the PDP presidential primary, when aspirants were asked to handle delegates, Tambuwal had asked them to vote for him only to return moments later to ask them to vote for Atiku.

At the first, Atiku polled 371 votes while Wike and Bukola Saraki garnered 237 and 70 votes respectively. After the convention, the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, described Tambuwal because the “hero of the convention.”

In the originating summons, Wike and his co-applicant asked the court to work out eight issues including whether the purported transfer of Tambuwal’s votes to Atiku by the PDP was illegal and void.

The plaintiffs asked the court to see if Tambuwal lost his claim to votes the instant he stepped down for Atiku.

He asked the court to work out whether Tambuwal “having stepped down during the primaries should lose his votes.”

Wike and Ekamon argued that ought to these issues be determined in their favour, the court should grant nine reliefs including a declaration that the purported transfer of Tambuwal’s votes to Atiku be declared null and void.

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MONTHLY ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION HOLDS ON SATURDAY 30th July, 2016

The Lagos State Government has declared that the July 2016 Environmental Sanitation Exercise will still be dedicated to cleaning of drains and canals across the state, to allow for free flow of water as the raining reason near its peak.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, in a press statement, reinstated that the Sanitation Exercise will be observed state-wide between the usual hours of 7:00am-10.00am on Saturday 30th July, 2016, during which, as usual, there will be restriction of human and vehicular movement across the State.

Dr. Adejare implored Lagosians to come out en-masse on Saturday July 30th, 2016 to clean and clear the drains in their neighbourhood so as to continually prevent flooding in the State. He warned that the period of environmental sanitation should not be used for any social engagement or sporting activities, but for serious cleaning and sanitation exercises. 

According to him, “As we are all aware, Lagos is a Coastal City that has high water table levels and prone to flash-floods whenever it rains. We must therefore imbibe habits which will reduce to the barest minimum the incidence of flooding in the State”.

He said that the target of the state this year is to sustain past record of flood abatement, thus making it possible for the State not to experience flooding as in the past years, adding that, “this can only be achieved through effective collaboration of the people.” The Commissioner advised residents of the State to desist from dumping waste arbitrarily into the drainage channels and canals in order to maintain a flood-free Lagos.

He also warned residents who still patronize cart pushers to desist from the illegal act as it is still an offence. He advised them to dispose their waste through LAWMA/PSP Operators. He urged the entire residents, to ensure that their environment is kept clean at all times and free from storm water stagnation, which could also be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other health hazards.

He therefore, warned inter-state Bus and Luxurious Bus Operators, Transport Owners and Road Transport Workers to comply with the restriction order on human and vehicular movement between 7.00am-10.00am, stating that anyone caught violating this order will be apprehended and prosecuted, while passengers in such vehicles will also be prosecuted according to the State’s Environmental Sanitation Laws. Adejare further assured that Law Enforcement Agencies, including Nigeria Police and officials from LAWMA, LASTMA and KAI have been fully mobilized to enforce the restriction of movement order adding that offenders will be prosecuted according to the State Sanitation Laws. The Commissioner assured the people of Lagos of the commitment and determination of the State Government to attain a sustainable, safe and clean environment. 

He therefore urged Lagosians to support Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s vision of a cleaner and healthier Lagos by abstaining from bad environmental practices such as open defecation and urination, littering of the highways and roads.

Tunde Awobiyi
Ministry of the Environment.

Aggrieved Woman Sues Husband To Court For Gross Unfaithfulness and Drunkenness in Lagos

Mrs Cecilia Ajayi, 42, on Thursday pleaded with an Igando Customary Court in Lagos State to dissolve her 20 years’ marriage with her husband, John Ajayi, aged 46.

Cecilia, the petitioner, accused Ajayi, the defendant, of being a womanizer. "My husband is a womaniser, he is dating four girls in our street and brings them into our matrimonial home. "On many occasions, he and his lovers had beaten me up whenever I prevented them from entering our room.

"He was not satisfied with his lovers, as he severally made attempts to rape my younger sister,’’ the wife told the court on Thursday. She also accused John whom she bore three children of being a consumer of excessive alcohol. Cecilia said, ``John is a drunk. After drinking to stupor, he will be falling inside gutter, talking in an incoherent manner."

She also claimed that her husband sent her packing because she was not educated, saying, `` he can no longer cope with illiterate." The wife said that John refused to leave his family house since they got married in 1996. On three occasions, I was attacked by John’s family members over inheritance, she said. "My husband's family wanted to kill me; they said that I was the one preventing my husband from sharing his late father's property. "John always said that he could not relocate from his family house," Cecilia said.

She urged the court to end the marriage, saying that she was no longer interested in the affair because her life was no longer safe. The petitioner, John Ajayi (46) , however, denied the allegations, saying that his wife ran away with a man because he lost his job and no longer financially buoyant. "Things were moving on fine until I lost my job and her behaviour changed, she packed out to live with another man.

"She even gave birth to her new lover two months ago,’’ the author said. The respondent said that he could not leave his family house because he was the only son in the family. John, therefore, begged the court not to grant his wife's wish adding that he was still in love with her.

The President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, after listening to the couple, adjourned the case to Sept. 27, his for judgment.

Lagos Cobbler/Shoemaker Bailed With N100,000 For Being Accused Of Stealing Generator

A-39-year-old cobbler, Lukmon Animashaun, who allegedly stole his neighbour’s generator, valued at N45,000 was on Thursday in Lagos granted a N100, 000 bail.


An Ikeja Magistrates' Court while giving the bail also ordered Animashaun to produce two sureties in like sum as part of the bail conditions. The magistrate, Mr J.A. Adegun, said the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government (LASG).

The magistrate then adjourned the case to August 2 for mention The accused, who resides in Agbe Road, Abule Egba, a Lagos suburb, is facing a charge of stealing. Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Babaji Ishaku, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 3 at his residence. He alleged that the accused had threatened to deal with the complainant due to a misunderstanding they had.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.