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Channel my birthday gifts to the poor – Peter Obi to supporters
The 2023 Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has appealed to supporters who celebrated his birthday to channel the gifts to the poor and vulnerable in the society.
In a statement on Sunday from Rome, Italy, Obi restated his lifelong philosophy of shunning extravagant personal celebrations in favour of causes that benefit the underprivileged and strengthen public institutions.
The former Anambra state governor thanked his supporters across Nigeria and beyond for the overwhelming show of love and goodwill as he marked his 64th birthday.
It was reports that Obi’s birthday, celebrated on Saturday, July 19, was marked with community service and solidarity gatherings in various parts of the world, especially by members of the Obidient Movement and other well-wishers.
“I sincerely thank everyone for the outpouring of goodwill and birthday wishes I received worldwide.
“I remain deeply grateful to all who marked the day in one way or another especially Nigerian youths, the Obidient family, and members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul,” Obi said.
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The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Federal Medical Centre, Owo chapter, has declared that it will not attend to any patient during its ongoing seven-day warning strike, regardless of the severity of cases.
Mr. Coker Oluwasegun, secretary of the association, made this known on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, accusing the Federal Government of neglecting the welfare of nurses.
“It is total compliance—no leeway whatsoever,” he said. “The Federal Government has unfairly treated nurses over the years, and this is the time for us to take the bull by the horns.
“This action is not against the management of FMC Owo, as we have already informed the Medical Director and his team.”
Oluwasegun lamented poor remuneration and working conditions, noting that the uniform allowance has remained N20,000 per year for over two decades.
“In all other allowances, nurses receive the least, despite being the backbone of the health sector. There’s a lack of equipment in most hospitals, making patients wrongly assume we are responsible for poor outcomes. The working conditions are deplorable,” he added.
He cited a string of unfulfilled promises by the Federal Government and reiterated that the warning strike would last seven days.
“If our 12-point demands are not met, we will resume after the warning strike and issue a 21-day ultimatum, after which an indefinite strike will commence,” Oluwasegun stated
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The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has appealed for calm following calls by some Ghanaians for the deportation of Nigerians from the country.
A statement on Thursday by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze said she spoke during a joint press conference with Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, in Accra on Wednesday.
She said the viral videos depicting protests had raised concerns in Nigeria, prompting the President to dispatch her as a special envoy to assess the situation firsthand.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said, “We are here in the Republic of Ghana on a fact-finding mission as special envoy of President Bola Tinubu as a result of recent disturbances that have made the rounds in Nigeria.
“We are pleased to note that things are rather calm here. Since we arrived, I haven’t seen people burning tyres in the streets or carrying placards everywhere calling for Nigerians to be deported.”
She attributed the calm to the Ghanaian government’s intervention, adding that the fears raised by the videos seemed to have subsided upon assessment of the actual situation.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Ghana, cautioning against the spread of inciting content that could escalate tensions between citizens of both countries.
She disclosed that her delegation had met with Ghanaian officials, community leaders, and individuals involved in the situation to ease tensions.
She also called for the institutionalisation of the Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission to promote stronger bilateral relations and citizen-to-citizen engagement.
In his remarks, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, said the government was engaging both Ghanaian citizens and the Nigerian community to address concerns and maintain peace.
“The Ghanaian government will ensure that everyone in the country — citizens and non-citizens — is protected,” he said, adding that residents must also be law-abiding and avoid divisive actions.
He stated that the viral videos were not a true reflection of the situation and disclosed that he had met with the Nigerian accused of attempting to form a kingdom in Ghana, clarifying that territorial intentions were not the motive.
Ablakwa recalled past episodes of diplomatic strain between the two countries, including Ghana’s Aliens Repatriation Order and Nigeria’s 1983 “Ghana Must Go” expulsion, stressing the need for both nations to learn from history and manage relations carefully.
“Regardless of our shared history, if these things are not managed well, it will take us back to certain dark occurrences in our history,” he said.
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In a heartfelt tribute to late U.S. Consulate Information Specialist and former Guardian journalist, Adejumobi Adegbite, the U.S. Consulate General has unveiled the Adejumobi Adegbite Fellowship for Young Journalists.
A statement on Thursday said the event, held at the American Corner in Lekki, brought together media professionals, US Mission officials, and young journalists selected for the prestigious year-long fellowship.
U.S. Consul General, Rick Swart, who assumed office in Lagos two weeks ago, delivered the opening remarks, expressing deep admiration for Adegbite’s legacy and the critical role of journalism in sustaining democracy.
“This initiative honors the legacy of Adejumobi Adegbite, who was not only a gifted journalist but also a passionate advocate for ethical and impactful reporting.
“Before his untimely passing in 2023, he was working on a program to mentor early-career journalists. Today, through this fellowship, his dream is being realised”, Swart said.
Adegbite, who began his career in 2006 at The Guardian, had served in various communication roles with the British High Commission, ECOWAS, the Gates Foundation, and USAID projects before joining the Consulate in 2021.
Established in partnership with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, the Adegbite Fellowship seeks to train and mentor early-career reporters in ethics-driven, public interest journalism. FIJ’s Editor-in-Chief, Fisayo Soyombo, a U.S. government exchange program alumnus, is spearheading the program’s implementation.
Swart applauded Soyombo’s efforts, saying, “Fisayo, your commitment to fostering investigative reporting and mentoring the next generation of journalists is both inspiring and essential to the health of democracy.”
The 12-month fellowship will provide participants with training in investigative techniques, data journalism, ethics, legal literacy, and multimedia storytelling. The fellows—selected from a competitive pool of over 80 applicants from across Nigeria—will attend quarterly intensive workshops and receive continuous mentorship throughout the year.
Swart praised the fellows for their commitment to journalism despite the challenges of the profession.
“To the fellows who journeyed from Yobe, Ibadan, and other parts of the country—thank you. Your passion and professionalism are the lifeblood of democratic societies. Journalism is not just a profession—it is a public trust. You are the guardians of truth”, he said.
He noted that the challenges faced by journalists today—ranging from disinformation to the erosion of public trust—make programs like this even more vital. “Without a new generation of journalists to carry this work forward, we risk undermining the very principles that sustain our societies,” he added.
Swart also highlighted the U.S. Mission’s broader commitment to supporting the Nigerian media ecosystem through ongoing training and engagement opportunities.
He encouraged fellows and other journalists to connect with the Public Diplomacy Section for additional resources.
Swart said, “Congratulations to each of you. “We look forward to seeing the impact of the work you will do through this fellowship. Your voices, stories, and integrity matter.”
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