News
Obi honours invitation of 11-year-old boy as Special Guest at school graduation ceremony
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has honoured the invitation of an 11-year-old pupil as special guest to his primary school graduation in Lagos.
The former Anambra state governor, on his verified X handle @PeterObi on Thursday, May 16, 2024, said the boy (Tolu) had followed his journey since the 2023 elections and was inspired by the good things people said about him.
Obi wrote: “Today, I was immensely touched by the action of an 11-year-old head boy from Corona School in Gbagada, Lagos. The boy named Tolu on his own took the initiative to invite me as Special Guest of Honour to his primary six school graduation ceremony.
“I was gladdened by his initiative at such a tender age and was even more astonished and elated interacting with the young lad. When I asked him how he knew me, he said that he had followed my journey during the elections and was inspired by the good things people said about me.”
According to Obi, Tolu asked him what he can do to be a good person and in response, he advised the young boy to, among other things, do the right thing and not follow the crowd to do wrong, adding that the best education and a strong moral compass will help him and other children to “rise above their challenges and shine as beacons of hope to shape a better tomorrow for their generation,”
Continuing, Obi wrote: “Then, with a curious mind, he asked the question that melted my heart: “What can I do to be a good person like you?” I encouraged him to always embrace honesty, listen to his parents, teachers, and elders; and always do the right thing.
“I urged him to study hard and resist the temptation to follow the crowd when it is wrong. In that moment, I envisioned a brighter future for the boy child, and for entire Nigeria, led by young trailblazers like Tolu, who will excel in various fields and bring positive change.
“With the best education and a strong moral compass, this young boy and every boy child will rise above their challenges and shine as beacons of hope to shape a better tomorrow for their generation. I am honored to have played a small part in inspiring him, and a lot of children and youths in our nation, to be strong forces for good.
“Happy International Day of the Boy Child to every Nigerian boy. The New Nigeria is for you to thrive and shine,” he added.
Prince Kayode Adewale, a contestant for the vacant Owa-Obokun of Ijesa land throne, has urged the Osun state government and traditional kingmakers to rely on oracles and deities in selecting the next monarch of the ancient town.
Prince Adewale of the Owa Bilaro Oluodo Royal Family, made the call during a press conference in Ilesa, Osun State, on Thursday.
He noted that the Ifa oracle, along with the Obokun and Ogun deities, should be the determining factors in the selection process.
The stool became vacant following the passing of Oba Gabriel Aromolaran, who joined his ancestors on September 11, 2024, after a 42-year reign.
As the contest intensifies, an Osun State High Court, presided over by Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, has restrained Governor Ademola Adeleke and others from appointing a new Owa-Obokun from the Haastrup family or any other candidate.
Amid the ongoing legal battles, Prince Adewale reaffirmed his interest in the throne, advocating for adherence to traditional processes to ensure fairness and legitimacy.
He said: “The Owa Obokun stool is not for sale. In Ijesaland when it’s comes to selection of a new King the Ifa, Obokun and Ogun deities will be consulted and the person that has the highest vote from them will emerge as the king.”
Declaring his intention, Adewale said he is committed to standardizing mining practices and implementing robust land reclamation policies.
“Ijeshaland is blessed with abundant natural resources, particularly in gold mining. However, our gold resources must be harnessed responsibly and sustainably. Under my leadership, I will work towards the standardization of gold mining practices, ensuring that this wealth benefits the people of Ijeshaland while preserving our environment for future generations.”
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the extension of the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 budget from 31 December 2024 to 30 June 2025.
Leader of the House, Hon Julius Ihonvbere, laid the report of the report of the bill seeking the extension as the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply to consider it.
It is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation Act, 2024 to extend the implementation of the Capital Component of the Appropriation Act, 2024 from 31 December, 2024 to 30 June, 2025 and for Related Matters (HB.2023)”
Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who announced the adjournment of plenary to January 14, 2025, urged members to work hard in their various to ensure that the prompt passage of the 2025 budget upon resumption.
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) on Thursday condemned in strong terms the suspension of 18 local government chairmen and councillors in Edo state by the House of Assembly.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had accused the suspended chairmen of disobeying his instructions by allegedly refusing to submit their financial records to the state government.
However, the ALGON’s National Executive Council (NEC) and its Board of Trustees (BoT) on Thursday jointly condemned the decision saying the governor and lawmakers did not give the council chairmen fair hearing to defend themselves.
The association at an emergency meeting in Katsina state, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, emphasising the need to respect the autonomy and independence of local governments as guaranteed by the nation’s constitution and recent ruling by the Supreme Court.
“ALGON views this suspension as a setback for democracy and abuse of power, particularly since the chairmen were not given a chance to defend themselves.
“This suspension is invalid. It contradicts the Supreme Court’s judgment granting local governments autonomy,” the ALGON National Publicity Secretary, Hamisu Anani, in a statement said.
Anani stated that if the Edo State House of Assembly’s decision was right, it would not have generated criticisms across the length and breadth of the country.
“This suspension is unconstitutional; it is null and void.
“ALGON is hereby urging the Edo State House of Assembly to reverse the decision and respect the rule of law to strengthen democratic governance.
“ALGON also appeals to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt this abuse of power,” the statement said.
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