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By Francesca Hangeior

Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, called on Thursday for massive turnout at Ali Khamenei’s funeral to avenge the supreme leader’s death in US-Israeli strikes at the start of the war.

“I invite all the Iranian people… to write a glorious page in the history of Islamic Iran through your presence” at the funeral ceremonies starting Saturday, said Ghalibaf, who is also Iran’s parliament speaker.

“The nation’s call for vengeance must ring in the ears of the whole world,” he added in a statement.

Khamenei’s funeral, initially delayed at the height of the Middle East war, will take place as Iran and the United States observe a fragile ceasefire after signing a preliminary deal to halt the conflict.

Khamenei, a spiritual figure for many Shias, was killed at the age of 86 at his compound in the centre of the Iranian capital on February 28, the first day of the war.

His public funeral will begin on Saturday, with his body lying in state at the colossal Grand Mosalla complex in central Tehran that hosts major Friday prayers, official ceremonies and religious gatherings.

The bodies of his slain relatives will also be presented.

The ceremonies are expected to draw between 15 and 20 million mourners, according to officials, which would make it the biggest state funeral in the country’s history.

“Iran… is preparing to experience one of the most significant moments in its history,” Ghalibaf said.

Tehran, as well as the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad, which will host later stages of the funeral and burial ceremonies, will observe public holidays while the events are underway.

Authorities have ordered public and private offices in Tehran to close from Saturday through Monday, while traffic restrictions will make much of the city centre inaccessible to private vehicles.

The airspace over Tehran will be partially closed from Friday and fully closed on Monday.

Following the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei’s body will be taken to the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala before his burial on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in the northeastern city of Mashhad, his birthplace.

But at the main ceremony in Tehran, it remains unknown if Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba, who has not been seen in public since becoming supreme leader, will be present.

Representatives from around 30 countries are expected to attend the funeral, with people pouring in from neighbouring Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Usiwoghene Unuafe, a Project Management professor at Arden University, Coventry, UK, has unveiled an ambitious 14-point development agenda aimed at transforming the state into what he described as Africa’s leading sub-national economy between 2027 and 2035.

Unuafe, whose campaign slogan is “For A New Delta,” said his administration would deploy the state’s oil wealth to drive investments in agriculture, industrialisation, infrastructure, digital technology, housing and human capital development rather than relying solely on federal revenue.

According to a campaign document released by the candidate, his vision is “to transform Delta State into Africa’s leading sub-national economy – a globally competitive, technology-driven, industrialised and prosperous state where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive, every community is connected, and every family enjoys security, dignity and a better quality of life.”

The campaign document, which features Unuafe alongside his running mate, Kenneth Gbandi, states that “oil money must build farms, factories, skills, roads, ports, power, housing and digital jobs,” underscoring the campaign’s emphasis on economic diversification and job creation.

Unuafe said his administration would prioritise the complete digitisation of government operations to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability. He pledged to establish a unified digital platform for revenue collection, budgeting, procurement, licensing, taxation and land administration while engaging digitally-savvy young professionals to build and manage the systems.

On agriculture, the ADC candidate promised to reduce Delta’s dependence on oil by investing heavily in mechanised farming, agro-processing and agribusiness. He said the goal would be to improve food security, lower food prices, create rural employment and boost agricultural exports.

The health sector, according to the blueprint, would receive significant investment through the establishment of functional primary healthcare centres in every ward, the upgrade of hospitals with modern equipment, digitise health records and the recruitment of more healthcare professionals.

Unuafe also pledged major investments in infrastructure, including rural farm-to-market roads, improved urban road networks, modern traffic management systems and the development of rail networks linking the state’s three senatorial districts through partnerships with private investors.

On security, he proposed the deployment of community-based CCTV surveillance systems, technology-driven crime prevention measures and faster emergency response mechanisms, while stressing that “no individual, regardless of status, will be above the law.”

The development plan also outlines a diversified energy strategy based on gas, solar, wind and waste-to-energy projects, alongside the transition of public institutions to alternative energy sources.

To boost industrialisation, Unuafe said his administration would work with the Federal Government and private investors to revive key industrial assets, including Delta Steel Company, Delta Glass Company, Asaba Textile Mill, Koko Port, rubber manufacturing facilities and agro-processing hubs.

The ADC candidate further promised reforms in education by equipping schools with internet connectivity, digital learning tools, modern laboratories and well-trained teachers, while integrating coding, artificial intelligence, robotics and digital entrepreneurship into secondary school curricula.

His vision also includes expanding broadband infrastructure, establishing ICT innovation centres and revitalising technical colleges to equip young people with globally competitive digital skills.

The blueprint outlines programmes to support women through grants, business development services, vocational training and access to finance, while proposing urban renewal projects, improved waste management, environmental sanitation, tree planting and modern drainage systems to create cleaner and more liveable communities.

In the areas of culture and tourism, Unuafe promised to restore historical landmarks, develop riverine tourism, improve tourism infrastructure and promote cultural festivals and recreational facilities.

He also pledged to establish sports academies across the state’s three senatorial districts, organise annual sporting competitions and create pathways for youth development through sports.

For vulnerable groups, the plan proposes monthly stipends and free healthcare for senior citizens, free public transport for the elderly, legislation to establish care homes and maternity support initiatives for first-time mothers.

Describing the blueprint as more than a political manifesto, Unuafe said it represents “a vision for building a Delta State where innovation drives government, agriculture feeds the nation, industries create jobs, infrastructure connects communities, technology empowers young people, and prosperity is shared by all.

“Our mission is clear: to transform Delta State from a resource-rich state into a knowledge-driven, industrialised, globally competitive economic powerhouse where every citizen has the opportunity to succeed. The Delta Renaissance begins now.”

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