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Presidential Aide Urges Prior Notice On Obi’s Visit to States

Lateefat Ibrahim
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Presidential Aide Urges Prior Notice On Obi’s Visit to States

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has stated that the movement of Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party Candidate in the 2023 Presidential Election, should be with a prior knowledge of the state governors for necessary security arrangements and courtesies that should be extended.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has stated that the movement of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, as a VIP, should always be communicated to the state governor in advance.

Ajayi said this allows for the necessary security arrangements and courtesies to be properly arranged.

The Presidential aide stated this on Sunday via his official X account, formerly known as Twitter, while intervening in the recent dispute between Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and Mr Obi.

Ajayi emphasised that Mr Obi must notify state governors before embarking on political visits to their states.

While admitting that the governor may have been intemperate , Temitope Ajayi maintained that the Edo State Governor was fully justified in insisting on proper protocol from a politician of Mr Peter Obi’s stature.

Okpebholo had criticised Obi for visiting the state without informing him, a development that sparked a flurry of political reactions over the weekend.

“No governor should threaten any citizen of Nigeria or anyone for that matter from visiting his state. Edo State Governor might have been a bit intemperate in his use of language, too,” the presidential aide wrote.

“However, the governor was right to say Mr. Peter Obi should not visit his state without informing him.”

Ajayi emphasised that Mr. Obi is no longer an ordinary citizen, having vied for the highest office in the country and continuing to actively pursue the presidency ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Truth is: Mr. Obi is not an ordinary citizen again. He was a presidential candidate in the last election and still an aspirant to the presidency of Nigeria.

“There is a protocol and level of security arrangement for a personality of his status. Mr. Obi’s visit to any state is political regardless of how such a visit is framed. They are designed to give him political mileage and leverage ahead of 2027 elections.” Ajayi said.

The Presidential aide added that “such a VIP movement should not be without the prior knowledge of the state governor for necessary security arrangements and courtesies that should be extended.” He added.

Lateefah Ibrahim

Federal Ministry Trains FCT Health Leaders On AOP

patience ameh
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Federal Ministry Trains FCT Health Leaders On AOP

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has trained health leaders and managers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on development of smart, budget-linked and data-driven Annual Operational Plan (AOP).

The four-day training, which ended on Saturday in Abuja, was under the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NSHRII) leadership, health system strengthening and planning capacity development.

The Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (FCT HSES), Dr Adedolapo Fasawe,

READ ALSO:Health Mandate Secretary Announces Hospital Expansion Plans Across FCT

Said that the training marks a significant milestone toward the development of a data-driven and smart budget-linked 2026 AOP.

This, according to Fasawe, will align with FCT budget and enable administration to draw down on available funds from the Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs).

She explained that more than 70 senior health officials, programme managers and planning officers across the FCT, area councils, development and implementing partners participated in the four-day stepdown training.

She described the training as a “bold step” toward strengthening health systems and development of a budget-linked AOP that would align with government priorities for donors and development partners to key into.

Fasawe specifically urged development and implementing partners to align their plans and funding with the priorities and initiatives of the FCT Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (HSSB) and AOP.

Also, the acting Director, Health Planning Research and Statistics, FCT HSES

Dr Theresa Nwachukwu, said that the training was funded and facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Nwachuckwu, who is also the FCT SWAp Desk Officer, added that the training was conducted through the NHSRII and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordinating Office.

She added that the training, designed to address the capacity gap among health managers and leaders across the country, would impact the needed skills for the development of 2026 AOP from the HSSB.

“The plan is being designed to align with the FCT budget and strategically incorporate flagship initiatives such as the HOPE Health Agenda, HSSB and the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII).

“This will be in line with President Bola Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Health Agenda under the NSHRII, HOPE Health and SWAp,” she said.

She said the participants were equipped with practical leadership, planning and governance tools to drive efficient health service delivery.

“The training equally prioritised evidence-based budgeting, results-oriented planning, and multi-stakeholder coordination, essential to system-wide accountability and impact,” she added.

The Participants were trained on the principles and context of HSSB, SWAp, MAMII, HOPE Governance and HOPE Health.

The health managers’ capacities were built on health systems, frameworks and system thinking, HOPE disbursement- linked indicators, problem-solving tools and bottlenecks analysis.

Other areas included intervention prioritisation techniques in healthcare delivery, data literacy for decision-making and performance dialogue, monitoring evaluation, accountability, research and learning Plan and AOP development process.

The participants also went through hands-on training on the web-based AOP tool, leadership, team building and change management.

A core outcome of the workshop was the identification of critical health financing gaps in the FCT, especially in the areas of poor funding for health and absence of budget lines for monitoring and evaluation activities of the SDAs.

They also noted the challenge of funding for health at the area council level, including absence of budgetary provisions for critical programmes.

The participants urged development partners to align funding and programmes with government-led strategies and a joint planning and development of 2026 AOP to ensure donor inputs directly support FCT- specific health priorities.

Other recommendations included strengthening area council-level financing and the need for enhanced budget releases at the state and area council levels.

They also advocated increased domestic and donor resources for health system strengthening and increased health budgetary allocation in line with the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration of April 27, 2001.

Israeli Gunfire Kills 73 People Seeking Aid in Gaza

Ejiofor Ezeifeoma
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Israeli Gunfire Kills 73 People Seeking Aid in Gaza

At least 73 people were killed and around 150 people injured by Israeli gunfire in Gaza while seeking aid on Sunday, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Some 67 people were killed in northern Gaza, the ministry said, while six others were killed in Khan Younis in the south of the Strip. It is unclear whether the 67 people reported killed in northern Gaza were all killed in the same place or in multiple incidents. It marks one of the highest reported death tolls among recent, repeated cases in which aid seekers have been killed.

The Israel Defense Forces said that troops had “fired warning shots in order to remove an immediate threat posed to them” after “a gathering of thousands of Gazans was identified in the northern Gaza Strip.”

“The IDF is aware of the claim regarding casualties in the area, and the details of the incident are still being examined,” the Israeli military said, without disclosing any casualty figures.

The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) said a 25-truck convoy carrying vital food assistance crossed the Zikim border on Sunday morning aiming to reach communities in northern Gaza.

“Shortly after passing the final checkpoint beyond the Zikim crossing point into Gaza, the convoy encountered large crowds of civilians anxiously waiting to access desperately needed food supplies,” the WFP wrote on X. “As the convoy approached, the surrounding crowd came under fire from Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfire.”

Shooting near humanitarian missions, convoys and food distributions “must stop immediately,” the WFP added, and said the latest incident “underscores the increasingly dangerous conditions under which humanitarian operations are forced to be conducted in Gaza.”

The Israeli military on Sunday also issued a warning to residents in a number of areas in northern Gaza, including the cities of Beit Lahia, Jabalya and Beit Hanoun.

“These areas are active combat zones and extremely dangerous,” the IDF’s Arabic language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, said Sunday. “The Israel Defense Forces are operating in these areas with very intense force. For your safety, movement to these areas is strictly prohibited. Those who heard have been warned.”

According to Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, people were shot at by the Israeli army on Sunday morning while attempting to get aid northwest of Gaza City, which is in the north of the enclave.

“Al-Shifa Medical Complex is in a catastrophic state due to the overwhelming number of martyrs, injuries and starving civilians,” Abu Salmiya told CNN in a statement.

“There have been a large number of deaths and injuries among those seeking aid, and ambulances and civilian vehicles have not stopped arriving, transporting the wounded and the dead from the northwestern areas of Gaza,” he continued.

“A significant number of civilians, and even medical staff, are arriving in a state of fainting or collapse due to severe malnutrition,” he said.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said that its Al-Saraya Field Hospital in Gaza City received 120 injured people, some of them in critical condition, on Sunday. It said it also received two dead bodies.

 

 

Source:CNN/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma

Arsenal Manager Praises Top-Quality Transfer Window

Chidi Uduma Nwoke
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Arsenal Manager Praises Top-Quality Transfer Window

Manager Mikel Arteta said he was happy that Arsenal had signed a number of top-quality players in the early stages of the transfer window and that they had given the Premier League club impetus to raise their level in the coming season.

Runners-up for the last three seasons, Arsenal have signed winger Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, as well as midfielders Christian Norgaard from Brentford and Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (L) with latest signing Noni Madueke (C).

“They bring new excitement, a new energy as well,” Arteta told reporters in Singapore on Monday ahead of a pre-season match against Serie A side AC Milan.

“We signed very important players as well. Again, everybody feels like their height has to go to a different level, and that’s what we’re seeking,” he added.

“Ideally, you want it (transfers) done on day one in pre-season. We’ve done very, very well so far. I’m very pleased with the way the club is supporting the necessities and improvements that we required in the team.”

Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season, is also expected to move to the Emirates Stadium.

“There’s still a long time in the window, and we are seeking. In terms of numbers, we are short, and we have to improve the depth and the quality of the squad,” Arteta said.

“We are constantly looking in the market, but until that happens, I can focus on the players that we actually have, work with them, and I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen so far in the first 10-15 days.”

DIFFERENT ARSENAL

Arsenal have let Premier League titles slip through their grasp in the last couple of years but this season will be different, defender Gabriel Magalhaes said.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes (R).

“I think the players that came will help us out a lot. The club is doing what is best for the players and the manager,” Gabriel said in an interview.

“We want to have the best players. To be in the dispute for titles, you have to have the best players … We have let a couple of titles slip through our fingers recently. We almost won but I think this year, things will be different.”

Arsenal begins its 2025-2026 Premier League campaign on August 17th with a trip to Manchester United.

President Tinubu Pays Tribute to Late Awujale

Lateefat Ibrahim
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President Tinubu Pays Tribute to Late Awujale

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has attributed his 2023 election victory to the royal blessing of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, and the steadfast support of the Nigerian people.

Speaking at the 8th-Day Fidau Prayer in honour of the revered monarch, held at Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, South West Nigeria, President Tinubu described Oba Adetona as a pillar of integrity and an enduring symbol of Yoruba pride.

The President was welcomed by governor Dapo Abiodun, former Ogun State governor, Olusegun Osoba, and other dignitaries before proceeding to the private residence of the late monarch, Ogbagba Court, where he signed the condolence register and paid his final respects.

Joined by ministers, lawmakers, and other dignitaries, the President arrived at the prayer venue, where Islamic leaders, royal families, and guests from across the country had gathered to honour the legacy of the late Monarch.

In his address, President Tinubu spoke with emotion, recalling how Oba Adetona’s words and prayers had strengthened his resolve during the 2023 campaign.

“When I visited him before the election, he prayed for me and said, “You will win this election, and by God’s grace, you will return for a second term.” Those words lifted me. Without his blessing and the support of Nigerians, I might not be standing here today as your President.”

He also hailed the late monarch’s courage during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, particularly in the wake of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

“He stood by us at a time when it was dangerous to do so.

“His wisdom, boldness, and unwavering belief in democracy encouraged us through the darkest moments. His legacy is deeply woven into the democratic fabric of this country.”

Describing Oba Adetona as “irreplaceable,” Tinubu praised the monarch for his honesty, leadership, and dedication to the Yoruba people and the nation.”

“He never told you what you wanted to hear—only the truth”.

“He lived with dignity, spoke with wisdom, and ruled with courage. Nigeria and Yoruba land have lost a rare gem.”

President Tinubu also used the occasion to call for unity among Ijebu sons and daughters and the broader Nigerian political class, urging them to uphold the values the late monarch stood for.

“Let us honour him not just in words, but in the way we conduct ourselves—united, just, and focused on legacy-building.”

Also speaking at the event, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, called on Ijebu indigenes to rally together to sustain the harmony and developmental vision championed by the late monarch.

“Kabiyesi was not just a traditional ruler—he was a visionary and a moral beacon. The eyes of the nation are upon Ijebuland. Let us not allow division to erode the foundations he laid.”

The event drew attendance from several state governors, deputy governors, former state governors, federal lawmakers, traditional rulers, and Islamic clerics, all paying tribute to a monarch many described as one of the most principled kings of his generation.

Lateefah Ibrahim

Peter Obi’s Supporters Pay 100 Patients’ Bills In Sokoto

patience ameh
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Peter Obi’s Supporters Pay 100 Patients’ Bills In Sokoto

As part of activities marking the 64th birthday of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Dr. Peter Obi, the Obidient Movement has paid the medical bills of 100 hospitalized patients at the Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital in Sokoto.

The gesture was designed to assist each benefitting patient with ₦5,000 to help offset their medical bills. It was also aimed at alleviating the financial burden on the patients and their families.

READ MORE:Nigerian Army Hosts Medical Outreach for Sokoto Community

In his remarks, the Chairman Organizing Committee for the celebration, Mr Abubakar Yawalle, said the outreach was part of a nationwide humanitarian effort simultaneously taking place across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“We are doing this because this is what our principal, Peter Obi, has been clamoring for.

“Our political mentor has been involved in such gestures both before and after the 2023 general elections,” Mr Yawale said.

According to him, the gesture was also inspired by Dr. Peter Obi’s commitment to humanitarian causes, adding that their boss has been involved in similar gestures both before and after the 2023 general elections.

He noted that Dr Obi was in Sokoto in 2024 to commissioned a borehole and other projects, which demonstrate his dedication to improving the lives of Nigerians.

He urged Nigerians especially people of sokoto to continue to rally more support to Dr Obi for sustainable development in the country.

Mr Abubakar Yawale further commended Mr Ifeanyi Eze for sponsoring the program and appreciated labour party supporters for their dedication and commitment.

The donation was met with appreciation from the patients and hospital staff, who expressed gratitude to the Obidient Movement for their kindness and generosity.

One of the patients, Hauwa Bello, thanked the Obidient Movement for their support which will reduce their medical burden, “We are grateful for this kind gesture. It will go a long way in helping us pay our medical bills.”

The celebration of former 2023 labour party presidential candidate Dr. Peter Obi’s 64th birthday has been marked by various humanitarian activities across the country, showcasing the impact of his leadership and the values of the Obidient Movement.

 

2025/2026 NPFL Fixtures To Be Revealed At AGM

Chidi Uduma Nwoke
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0
2025/2026 NPFL Fixtures To Be Revealed At AGM

Activities to formally flag off the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will start with an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja, as the fixtures for the new campaign will also be revealed.

In a letter of invitation to the clubs, the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, stated that the AGM will hold on Monday, July 28 at the Abuja Continental Hotel, (the Old Abuja Sheraton Hotels) while the arrival date for all participants is Sunday, July 27.

Part of the agenda of the AGM will be the draw ceremony for the fixtures of the new season slated to start on August 22nd.

“In addition to the various reports that will be presented at the AGM, we are also going to conduct the framework for the fixtures of the new season,” Owumi told NPFL Media.

Chairman of the Board, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye will lead the meeting with the board members and the 20 clubs that played in the last season.

The four promoted clubs will be formally admitted to the NPFL just as the four relegated clubs will be attending their last meeting as part of the elite league.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, is expected to declare the meeting open with a number of ex-international players in attendance to add colour to the draw event.

African Karate Championship Begins In Abuja

Chidi Uduma Nwoke
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African Karate Championship Begins In Abuja

About 1,000 athletes have arrived Nigeria’s Capital City, Abuja, for the 2025 African Karate Championship scheduled to hold between 21st – 28th July.

The President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN), Silas Agara, told newsmen in Abuja that  31 countries, alongside hosts Nigeria, would slug it out in four categories of the sport.

The categories include the cadet, which would accommodate athletes between 14 and 15 years, as well as the junior category which has athletes between the age of 16 and 17. Other categories are senior and para karate which would have athletes above 18 years.

“Today, we are happy to announce that we have most of the countries that have indicated to participate in the upcoming African Championship. They are on ground,” Agara said.

“We have officials from other countries that are here to provide technical assistance to the championship here on ground.”

”Our part as a federation, we have been on ground for the past one week trying to ensure that all the logistics are in place and accommodation has been sorted for countries that are coming.”

“As at Wednesday night, which was the closing date for the registration, we have 31 countries that have indicated interest to come, with over 1,000 athletes from all these countries that will be coming along, including officials.”

“Logistics for these athletes and officials have not been too easy in terms of sorting out their accommodation, their transport from the hotel, immigration processes, that is sorting their visa on arrival, so these are some of the logistics. But I am happy that we are on course,” Agara added.

The KFN president also said that the General Assembly of the African championship would also take place in Abuja, within this period.

Technical Director of the Federation, Dave Jegede, said that Nigeria would be presenting 60 athletes for the championships and that the athletes are in high spirit ahead of the competition.

“Anticipatory, we have been preparing. We know that we are hosting and as such have lined up several championships before now to keep our athletes in tune,” Jegede said.

“We have about four national and two regional championships which we have done. So these athletes have been attending competitions regularly. They’ve been in camp before now, and they’re in high spirits.

“We have about 60 athletes that will participate in this championship and many of them are African champions. We have gold medalists, silver medalists, and bronze medalists in our team. We also have Commonwealth medalists in our team.

“So all these put together, and with the preparation we have had, we’re sure we’ll make Nigeria proud,” Jegede concluded.

Senegalese President Visits Military Sites Returned by France

Kamila Bello
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Senegalese President Visits Military Sites Returned by France

Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye visited multiple military sites recently transferred by France, a move the presidency hailed as a major step in reshaping the two nations’ military cooperation.

According to an official statement, Faye inspected the sites of Ouakam, Bel Air and the Naval base, all now fully under Senegalese sovereignty.

The visit aimed to assess the condition of infrastructure related to accommodation, logistics and operations, and evaluate their potential for future use.

“The handover of these facilities, the result of bilateral dialogue based on mutual respect, opens a new era of strategic cooperation focused on training, interoperability and the strengthening of national capacities,” the presidency said, adding that the move reflects Senegal’s calm but firm assertion of full sovereignty over strategic military installations.

On Thursday, France formally transferred its last two military installations in Senegal to the Senegalese authorities, marking the end of its permanent military presence in the West African country.

The installations included Camp Geille, the largest French military base in Senegal, and the French air detachment at Dakar International Airport.

 

 

 

Xinhua/Kamila

Senate Warns Natasha To Stay Away From National Assembly

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
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Senate Warns Natasha To Stay Away From National Assembly

The Nigerian Senate has warned suspended Kogi lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to desist from forcefully resuming her legislative duties on Tuesday until the expiration of her suspension.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu gave the warning in a statement issued on Sunday.

While insisting that no valid court order mandates her immediate recall. Senator Adaramodu emphasised that the Senate remains committed to due process and the rule of law.

“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension” he said.

The clarification followed media reports quoting the embattled lawmaker as saying she would return to the Senate on Tuesday, allegedly based on a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

However, Senator Adaramodu said the Upper Chamber had previously issued two public statements after the court ruling and the release of the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order, making it clear that no positive or mandatory directive was issued against the Senate regarding her recall.
“Rather, the Honourable Court gave a non-binding advisory urging the Senate to consider amending its Standing Orders and reviewing the suspension, which it opined might be excessive.

“The Court, however, explicitly held that the Senate did not breach any law or constitutional provision in imposing the disciplinary measure based on the Senator’s misconduct during plenary,” he said.

The Nigerian Senate further noted that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties, including a ₦5m fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, a directive that has reportedly not been complied with.

“It is therefore surprising and legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while on appeal and having filed a motion for stay against the valid and binding orders made against her, is attempting to act upon an imaginary order of recall that does not exist,” the Senate spokesman added.

He warned that any move by the suspended lawmaker to “storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext” would be premature, disruptive, and a breach of legislative order.

“The Senate will, at the appropriate time, consider the advisory opinion of the court on both amending the Standing Orders of the Senate, her recall, and communicate the same thereof to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course,” the statement concluded.

The Senate on Thursday, March 6 suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for six months over alleged misconduct and refusal to comply with the chamber’s sitting arrangement during the plenary session on 20 February.

The upper chamber, however, said if Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan submits a written apology, the leadership of the chamber may consider lifting the suspension before the six-month period expires.

Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio announced the suspension of the Kogi Senator after it was supported by a majority of the lawmakers during the plenary.

The controversy began when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to occupy her new seat because it was done without her consent and she believes the action violated her privileges.

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