IT was a bit of an emotional period for me when names of people who fought for democracy kept popping up in the Democracy Week. It was quite good hearing from the family of Mr Alao Aka-Bashorun, Father of the Nigerian Pro-Democracy Movement. He led many, including lawyers, against the rapacious regimes of Babangida, Shonekan and Abacha. Aka-Bashorun watched over the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC; the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU; and generations of radicals like a protective mother hen.

Also, hearing from the family of Dr Fredrick Fasehun was quite moving. When elements of the Abacha gang bombed the convoy of then Lagos State Military Governor Buba Marwa behind the Sheraton Hotel, the regime blamed it on Fasehun. For this, he was held in isolation in an underground cell at the Ikoyi Cemetery. He told me that his most traumatic experiences were the three occasions a notorious secret security agent named Abdulrahman carried out his fake executions, rolling bullets in his gun barrel.

One day, I got the good news from Fasehun that he had been moved to the notorious Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, Ikoyi. It meant he would be able to interact with other detainees and, we could have access to him.

When I visited, Fasehun wanted me to help nurture a militia, the Oodua Peoples’ Congress, OPC, he had established before his detention. Quite a number of them, including later leader, Chief Gani Adams, were our cadres in the Campaign for Democracy, CD.

I was quite familiar with three of the OPC co-founders, people who today, are virtually unknown. There was Iya Ijebu, a stoic elderly woman and, Baba Oja, an elderly market leader both from the Babalola Market, Mushin. You will imagine these were not their real names. But any day, they helped to hold the Mushin/Isolo axis in any pro-democracy protests or shut down of roads and businesses. The third was Tony Engurube who had vast knowledge in mass mobilisation and underground cell work both in Sweden and Nigeria. He had been detained by the Gowon regime in the mid- 1970s for making public the salaries of the Armed Forces following wage reviews. Engurube who later fell sick and passed on in Dr Fasehun’s Besthope Hospital, Lagos, was the Father of armed militancy in the Niger Delta.

There is Akanni Iromini. In those days before the age of the internet, one of our major ways of communication with the populace was through leaflets, handbills and posters. Any of these found on a person meant instant detention without trial. It could also lead to disappearance. Yet, they were always in circulation nationwide. It required a lot of courage, tact and good luck to move them across the country.

 Unfortunately, the secret services discovered one of our major printers, Mr Akani Iromini. That was the beginning of his spells of detention. His printing press and means of livelihood were destroyed. Despite these, he continued in the struggle against military dictatorship. Today, somewhere in bustling Lagos, Akani Iromini is battling with ill-health and desperately in need of assistance.

Iromini and I also belonged to a group that campaigned for the release of political prisoners, visiting their families and bringing them together for various activities. It was symbolically named after the Campaign for Democracy, CD, President, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti who had been sentenced to life imprisonment. In those days, belonging to such an organisation was considered treasonable.

In the group were three fantastic lawyers: Nike Ransome-Kuti, Tope Egunjobi and the quite reserved Jide Bello. Also in the organisation was Dr Bosede Afolabi, now Professor of Gynaecology dedicated to drastically reducing childbearing, sickle cell and maternal mortality. There was also Muhtar Bakare then of Citibank, and later, publisher of Farafina Books. There were also Messrs Femi Ojudu and Uba Sani, later Senators. The latter, today, is the Governor of Kaduna State.

We were daring. For instance, we penetrated the Agodi Maximum Prisons to lift up the low spirit of Ben Charles Obi, a journalist who had been sentenced to life imprisonment. Obi’s aged mother was his dependant, the magazine ‘Classique’ he worked for was dead, as was its publisher, Mrs Mee Mofe-Damijo. So he felt virtually alone in the world. As a political prisoner, he had no visiting rights, so Nike had to disguise as an evangelising priest to get to him at the prisons.

Sometimes we were lucky. We once held a reception for the children of political detainees at the Excellence Hotel Ogba. We sent out different venues and time. By the time the regime realised where we were and sent armed contingents of the police to stop the programme, it was over. Sometimes, we faced rejection. For instance, we once organised a birthday programme for incarcerated Chief Moshood Abiola and the family locked us and our guests out. We once visited Mrs Stella Obasanjo whose husband, later President Olusegun Obasanjo, was in prison. Those around her pointedly refused us access. They did not want her to be associated with us.

We felt some urgency when General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua died or was killed in the Abakaliki Prisons on December 8, 1997. The group was particularly worried about the safety of incarcerated CD Vice Chairman, Comrade Shehu Sani, who had been taken to the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, ABSUTH, by prison officials.

So, we organised a publicised special programme and photo exhibition for political prisoners and their families. The Abacha regime was determined that the programme should not hold. It sent armed police men and the security services around the streets adjoining the venue which was Beko’s house on Imaria Street, Anthony Village, Lagos. Also, a helicopter hovered overhead, in intimidating fashion. But in a move that boosted our confidence and ensured the programme held, then United States Ambassador, Walter Carrington, gathered and led a convoy of ambassadors with flags flying. The regime lost its nerve and allowed the convoy through. As the programme wore on, the helicopter noise was disturbing. In the midst of it all, a child was busy, playing with the telephone handset and placing it on her ear as if making a phone call. It was an award-deserving photograph which we widely circulated. That child was Ebube, daughter of incarcerated journalist, George Mbah.

The heroes of democracy in our country are mainly those unnamed or virtually unknown. They include Mrs Suliat Adededeji, murdered on November 14, 1996 in her Iyaganku, Ibadan home; and Ms Rebecca Onyabi Ikpe, sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for exposing the lie that was the claimed 1995 coup attempt. There is also the journalist, Mrs Ladi Olorunyomi, thrice detained at the notorious Directorate of Military Intelligence, and the hundreds killed in pro-Democracy struggles, with many buried in unmarked graves.

As the governor of Sokoto deposed 15 traditional rulers, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed concern over the sour relationship between the governor and the Sultan of Sokoto as well as the rumour of impending dethronement of the Sultan.

According to the human rights organization, Nigerian Muslims reject any thought of deposition of the Sultan.

MURIC’s position was articulated in a press statement issued on Monday, 24th June, 2024 by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

He said, “The governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, deposed 15 traditional rulers on 23rd April 2024. That was two months ago.

“However, feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier.

“MURIC advises the governor to look before he leaps. The Sultan’s stool is not only traditional. It is also religious. In the same vein, his jurisdiction goes beyond Sokoto. It covers the whole of Nigeria. He is the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims.

“Therefore, any governor who tampers with the stool of the Sultan will have Nigerian Muslims to reckon with because the Sultan combines the office of the Sultan of Sokoto and that of the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

“Governor Ahmed Aliyu should not force Nigerian Muslims to take a drastically revolutionary measure. Having a traditional ruler as leader has been a condition Nigerian Muslims accepted a long time ago as a necessary weakness in the structure which they have to live with.

“A military governor, Colonel Yakubu Muazu, exposed this soft underbelly when he deposed Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki on 20th April, 1996. Nigerian Muslims will be forced to make a hard decision if Sokoto governors continue to diminish the authority of the Sultan.

“For the avoidance of any doubts, Sultan Muhammad Sa’d Abubakar is not only the Sultan of Sokoto but the Sultan of the Nigerian people. His performance and style of leadership have warmed him into the hearts of Nigerians.

“Nigerian Muslims North and South of the country may be constrained to pick Islamic scholars only as President General of the NSCIA and overall leader of Nigerian Muslims. It will be farewell to the leadership of traditional rulers over the NSCIA and an irreversible departure from Sokoto’s priviledged leadership position. But history will not be kind to Colonel Yakubu Muazu and Ahmed Aliyu for ruining the chances of Sokoto.

“That will make it impossible for any governor to harass or intimidate the leader of Nigerian Muslims. The power and influence of governors over traditional rulers have become absolute and totalitarian in recent time. Nigerian Muslims must be given space to breathe some air of freedom like all other associations.

“Once is happenstance, twice is a coincidence, the third time is enemy action. If the deposition of a Sultan and NSCIA leader happens a second time, Nigerian Muslims will not allow the embarrassment to happen a third time.

“MURIC reiterates its call on the Sokoto State House of Assembly to either repeal or review the state’s chieftaincy laws by adding the phrase ‘except the Sultan of Sokoto’ to Section 6, Cap 26 of the Laws of Northern Nigeria which empowers the state governor to depose the emirs including the Sultan.

“We urge Northern elites and Islamic scholars based in the North to intervene before it is too late. This is the time to lobby the Sokoto State House of Assembly and the governor himself. If the chieftaincy laws of Kano State can be repealed within 24 hours, nothing stops that of Sokoto State from being reviewed in favour of immunity for the office of the Sultan in a single day to save Nigerian Muslims from humongous embarrassment.

“It is arbitrary, irrational and condescending for a state governor to possess the power to dethrone the leader of all Muslims in Nigeria when even an ordinary chairman of a local government cannot sack the president of a campus students union. It is unacceptable. Enough is enough.

“In the same manner, it is tactless, reckless, myopic and senselessly audacious for any governor of Sokoto State who has the power to remove the Sultan of Sokoto and head of all Nigerian Muslims to actually use that power. Well, once bitten, twice shy. Nigerian Muslims travelled this road once, under military rule. We will not ply the same road again.”

As academic and non-academic workers in the university system have threatened to embark on another round of industrial action, students and parents have said they don’t want another closure of universities, calling on the workers and the government to find a way out of their face-off.

According to them, incessant closure of universities is one of the reasons the schools are not faring well in global rankings.

The students spoke under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, and the parents under the auspices of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN.

Speaking in a chat with Vanguard newspaper, the National President of NANS, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, noted that students were always bearing the brunt in cases of industrial actions by university workers.

“Government should listen to the lecturers and university workers generally. Some of the things the lecturers are complaining about are genuine.

“Look at the issue of the composition of Governing Councils for higher institutions in the country, many people who have no job being put into such positions were included. Such sensitive positions should be for technocrats in the education sector and academicians.

“Why would the government not honour an agreement it willingly entered into. Honour an agreement you signed.

“However, I would appeal to ASUU members to also give room for mediation and negotiation because in the long run, all parties would still come to the table to talk. Let the parties give room for negotiation and mediation. Students are always at the receiving end of such fight between the sides and nobody wants to waste his or her precious time,” he said.

Also speaking, the Deputy National President of NAPTAN, Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said government should honour its promise to the workers.

“Government should pay them and fulfil their obligations. When they went on strike the other time, part of what was agreed to making the workers suspend their action was that nobody would be victimized on account of the strike.

“So, if you are not paying them their dues, are you not victimizing the workers? If ASUU goes on strike, SSANU and NASU do so, the university system would collapse. The other time parents had to keep their children at home for about a session, that is not good for the system.

“Look at the recent global ranking of universities, the best ranked university in the country was in about 1,000th position. All these incessant stikes are parts of the poor ranking of our universities. Government should just be alive to its responsibilities and avert another round of industrial disharmony, ” he noted.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, is already warming up for another strike, following the inability of the government to meet some of their demands.

The union, last week, started nationwide press briefings and sensitisation on issues it said could disrupt academic activities on campuses.

Top on the list of their demands is the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement and its implementation.

The agreement is about better welfare packages, funding of the universities, better facilities among others.

Also, ASUU is demanding the payment of four months withheld salaries of members.

Eight months salaries were withheld following the 2022 strike by the union, but only four months have been paid by the Bola Tinubu administration.

On the other hand, non-teaching staff under the umbrella of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, National Association of Academic Technologists,NAAT and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions, NASU, are also demanding the payment of their withheld salaries of between three and a half months and five and a half months.

They are also calling for the implementation of an earlier agreement entered into by their unions and the government.

The academic and non-academic unions have given various timelines as when their demands must be met or they would go on strike.

Former Council Chairmen of 21 out of the 23 Local Governments Area (LGA) in Rivers State, on Monday, defied police order and staged a protest at their various council areas.

The pro-Wike former LGA bosses protested in their local councils despite an advisory against protests issued by the Rivers State Police Command.

In Buguma, council headquarters of the Asari-Toru LGA, former Chairman Onengiyeofori George, alongside his supporters, marched through the streets of the town as they gyrate to songs in solidarity with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

They waved placards with inscriptions asking the police to continue occupying the council headquarters.

Some of the inscriptions read, “Sim Fubara Can’t Continue to Act As He likes” and “There’s No Vacancy in Asari-Toru Council”.

Also, in Abonnema, the Akuku-Toru LGA council headquarters, some persons staged a protest, backing the continued closure of council premises by the police.

The police took over the council secretariats of the 23 LGAs in the oil-rich South-South last Tuesday following the crisis that erupted over the three-year tenure expiration of the former LGA chairmen.

Three deaths have been recorded in the wake of the pandemonium.

The state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, last week sworn in 23 caretaker chairmen but the police have continued to barricade the council premises in all the LGAs preventing both parties from gaining access to avert possibilities of break down of law and order.

The Ogun state government has cautioned residents as it officially reported 25 cases of Cholera across seven local government areas in the state.

One person, according to the government, died recently in the Ijebu North local government in the Ogun East Senatorial district.

The state commissioner for health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed this information in Abeokuta, the state capital, during a press conference at the Olusegun Osoba press centre.

She mentioned that comprehensive surveillance and emergency medical care have been initiated in all 20 local government areas of the state.

The areas most affected by the outbreak were identified as Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Obafemi/Owode, Ijebu North, Ado, and Odo/OTA local government areas.

While ensuring the public of the state government’s and its partners’ readiness, she urged residents to uphold good personal and public hygiene practices to curb the spread of the disease.

“The Ogun State Government is cognisant of these threats hence we are at all times prepared for outbreaks and other Diseases of public health importance.

Our robust preparedness and our resolve to protect the lives and health of all residents have helped minimise the impact of the Cholera Outbreak in the state in comparison to many other states in Nigeria.

“At the inception, we received the alert on June 12th, 2024, about the first 2 cases. Both cases tested positive with a Cholera rapid diagnostic kit and were managed at the State Hospital, Ota.

“The 2 cases had travel history to Lagos state 24hrs before presentation, as of today, 24th, June 2024, the Ogun state has recorded 25 suspected cases of Cholera in 7 LGAs, namely, Adoodo/Ota, Remo North, Odeda, Sagamu, Ijebu North, Ewekoro, and Obafemi Owode, with 9 confirmed case and unfortunately, 1 death.

“Consequent upon these findings, it is imperative to declare an ongoing Cholera Outbreak in Ogun State.

“Before this outbreak, as part of the state preparedness, a robust surveillance system was in place in all 20 local government authorities, which ensured prompt detection of cases.

“The initial 8 cases originated from Lagos state, the reported epicentre of the Cholera outbreak and a state that shares a border with 4 of our local governments. The 8 cases had travel history to Lagos and 6 of them reported taking tiger nut drink while in Lagos. Furthermore, we also promptly diagnosed cholera in 5 of the contacts of the patients with a travel history to Lagos State,” Coker noted in the press release on Monday.

In response to the situation, she mentioned that the state’s Epidemiology team is on heightened alert and that every Local Government Area (LGA) Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer has also ramped up their monitoring efforts throughout all 20 LGAs.

The statement added: “Our private health facilities and citizens have been sensitized to heighten their index of suspicion and report any suspected case immediately to the LGA DSNO, and the State response Team by calling the following phone numbers 08038642812, 07034214893, and 08084250881.

“All our 20 LGAs have trained rapid-response teams ready to respond to your call at short notice in collaboration with Ogun State Emergency and Ambulance Service.

“Also, cholera test kits and other consumables needed for treatment have been distributed to all LGAs and designated treatment centres to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment. The treatment of Cholera is free across all government facilities in Ogun State.

“Ogun State Ministry of Health is coordinating this outbreak response in collaboration with stakeholders from the Ministry of Environment, Information, and Education, WES at the LGA (water, environment, and sanitation), RUWATSAN (Rural water and sanitation), Water cooperation, Private hospital owners, Emergency services (OGSAES) and partners.

“The Emergency Operations Centre was activated earlier and is now in the response mode, tracking evolving situations and acting accordingly. Each ministry’s Departments and agencies involved in the response are carrying out its statutory responsibilities to curtail and control the outbreak. The Ministry of Environment and LGA Waste and Environmental Sanitation department is carrying out activities to curb open defecation and improve environmental hygiene.”

According to Coker, Cholera sensitisation materials are being shared via all electronic platforms, including social media, Radio, and Television. The Ministry of Information and the risk communication pillar of the EOC are working hard to engage the public on prevention practices, good hygiene, and sanitation.

“Medications and essential consumables have been prepositioned at LGAs and other strategic health facilities to provide hitch-free, quality treatment that is free in all government health facilities.

“Some of its LGAs have been identified as high-risk LGAs and hotspots in Ogun state, these are Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ijebu North, Obafemi Owode, Ifo, and Adoodo Ota.

“As a way of warning, the Risk factors for cholera include eating contaminated food and drink, unhygienic sanitary conditions, and poor personal hygiene,” She added.

Naija News reports that symptoms of Cholera include diarrhoea, which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting.

Cholera can lead to intense, watery diarrhoea that can be fatal within hours without proper treatment. Symptoms can appear between 12 hours and 5 days after exposure.

To prevent and control Cholera, a comprehensive strategy is necessary, involving monitoring, access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene practices, community engagement, medical care, and the administration of oral cholera vaccines.

However, she emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards of personal and environmental cleanliness among the community members.

“Our Expectation from the public is Proper personal hygiene ( particularly Hand Hygiene), Washing food/fruits/vegetables properly before eating, Drink only clean water (Boil if the source is not trusted), Discourage Open defaecation, cook food thoroughly, go to the nearest health facility if you pass watery stool more than twice within 8 hours and report any suspected case in your locality. Please call the following phone numbers 08038642812, 07034214893, and 08084250881,” she added.

Naija News reports that the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Ogun State, Kunle Ashimi, highlighted the extensive reach of cholera in a press release issued on Thursday, noting its presence in 30 states nationwide, including Ogun.

Meanwhile, Kemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, reported that the death toll from the cholera outbreak in the state has climbed to 24, with 350 suspected cases.

President Bola Tinubu has directed that all civil servants drawing salaries from the government after relocating abroad should be made to refund the money.

The President also directed that the supervisors and department heads of the culprits must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch.

Tinubu’ gave the directive on Saturday at the award night organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to commemorate the 2024 Civil Service Week.

The event was also to honour some outstanding civil servants in core ministries.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the President expressed dismay over the attitude of the ghost workers.

“During my recent visit to South Africa, I kept abreast of the week’s activities.

“I was particularly struck by the revelations the Head of the Civil Service shared regarding employees who had relocated abroad while drawing salaries without formally resigning.

“It is heartening to hear that measures have been taken to address this issue, but we must ensure those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made.

“The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected.

“Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch,” Tinubu said.

He reiterated that the government would take appropriate measures to ensure they were punished and the money refunded to the government treasury.

The President acknowledged the challenges in the civil service sector and reiterated his commitment to address them for optimal performance.

“Our administration acknowledges the challenges the civil service is facing.

“I want to assure you that we are committed to ensuring the welfare and development of all civil servants to deliver optimal performance for the growth of our nation.

“Over the past year, I have provided all the necessary support to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to ensure the continued stability of the civil service.

“I also supported the office in implementing far-reaching policies and reforms capable of improving efficiency and service delivery, ” the President said.

The PUNCH reports other activities to mark the night were the presentation of the top three prizes to the winners and an additional N500,000 cash prizes to 40 workers.

Making the presentation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, the HOCSF announced the top three prizes won by three lucky officers at the event.

“The Star Prize is a Brand New 2023 JAC JS4 Luxury Model SUV; the second is a two-bedroom semi-detached bungalow; and

the third top prize is a serviced plot of land measuring 400 sqm.

“I am also pleased to announce that the Nigeria Customs Service has graciously committed to donating six Toyota Camry cars in support of the 2024 Civil Service Week.

“The office has started receiving the vehicles, and these will be presented as prizes to the next set of runner-up best-performing officers,” she said.

The Federal Government has spent a total of $15.55bn on debt servicing between 2019 and 2024, according to the latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In 2019, Nigeria paid $588.33m in debt service between January and May, while the payment for 2020 was $5.40bn.

The debt service payments continued to rise in subsequent years, with $2.02bn paid in 2021, $2.34bn in 2022, and $3.43bn in 2023.

Between January and May 2024, the country has paid $2.18bn in debt service, according to the CBN’s data.

This is 270.9 per cent increase compared to the first five months of 2019 which was $588.33m.

The $2.18bn, in May 2024 is nearing half of the $4.8bn projected by Fitch Ratings for the year.

This increase is despite the government’s assertions that it is shifting its focus towards domestic borrowing.

Fitch Ratings also predicts that the country’s external debt servicing will escalate by $400m to $5.2bn next year, raising concerns about Nigeria’s debt sustainability.

According to the CBN International Payments Data, the FG spent the highest on debt financing within the last five years in 2020 which amounted to $5.40bn.

Nigeria’s external debt service payments saw a significant increase of $1.1bn, reaching $3.5bn in 2023, according to FBNQuest Research.

This breakdown comprises $1.9bn in market debt payments and $1.6bn in non-market debt payments. Furthermore, the Federal Government plans to take on additional external debt, including N1.8tn in commercial borrowing and N1.1tn in concessional loans, as outlined in the 2024 budget.

FBNQuest Research expects a further increase in external debt service payments, mirroring Fitch Ratings’ predictions, due to the government’s plans to access commercial debt markets and anticipated growth in borrowings from concessional sources.

Recently, the government received $2.25bn from the World Bank to support President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.

The two-fold packages include $1.5bn for the Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilization to Enable Transformation Development Policy Financing Program and $750m for the Nigeria Accelerating Resource Mobilization Reforms Program-for-Results.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, said, “We have undertaken bold and necessary reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and put Nigeria on a path to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. These reforms will create quality jobs and economic opportunities for all Nigerians.”

This loan, described as “virtually a grant” by Edun, is expected to support the government’s economic reforms and development initiatives.

The report noted that the principal programme development objective is to raise non-oil revenues and safeguard oil and gas revenues.

British heavyweight Anthony Joshua says it would not be a “wise decision” for his son to follow in his footsteps and become a professional boxer.

The two-time former unified world heavyweight champion told BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs he would much prefer if his son, Joseph Joshua, known as JJ, became an accountant instead, though he added that he wanted him to carve out his own future.

He has previously said he did not envisage a boxing life for his “little JJ”, wanting his son to be the “best man that he can be” instead.

Speaking to Desert Island Discs, Joshua revealed that his views about his son’s future had not changed. He said he would tell JJ to “do the best you can do”, when advising him about what he wanted to be when he was older.

“If I was to choose (a career) for him, I would ask him to probably look at accountancy because I think it’s good to understand numbers,” he said.

Reflecting on his own career, Joshua mentioned how boxing helped him channel his energy during difficult times in his youth. He got into trouble with the police for fighting as a teenager and was homeless at 17. Boxing became a turning point for him when he entered the ring at 18.

Joshua’s career took off when he won gold at the London 2012 Olympics, and he turned professional a year later. His victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 was a defining moment, cementing his status as a top heavyweight.

Joshua won all of his first 22 professional bouts, 21 of them inside the distance, to establish himself as the most renowned knockout artist of his generation.

But the low point in the boxer’s career came in 2022, when he failed to recapture the unified WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles from his nemesis, Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia.

As he tried to come to terms with the loss, Joshua at first denied it had a profound effect on him but at a post-fight press conference, Joshua was apologetic, choked back tears and held his head in his hands, saying the defeat tore him apart.

Speaking to Desert Island Discs, he said he went into a “dark room” for five days where he could not talk to anyone in order to heal from the inside mentally.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has lost his mother-in-law, Hajiya Maryam Abubakar Albishir.

She passed away in Kano on Sunday evening after a prolonged illness. 

She was aged 69. 

A statement issued on Monday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, stated that Hajiya Maryam, the mother of the Vice President’s wife, Hajiya Nana Shettima, will be laid to rest today afternoon in Kano, in accordance with Islamic traditions.

According to the statement, “The late Hajiya Maryam was known as an exemplary and kind-hearted mother in her community and also a devoted Muslim. She was respected for her wisdom, compassion, and dedication to charitable causes. Many remember her as a source of guidance and support, both within her family and in the wider community in Kano.

“The nation extends its condolences to Vice President Kashim Shettima, Hajiya Nana Shettima, and their family during this difficult time, while appreciating the life and legacy of the late Hajiya Maryam Albishir.”

Labour Party has reiterated its support for Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2027 election, dismissing rumours of a potential replacement.

In a statement jointly signed yesterday by the Director-General of the Directorate on Mobilization and Integration, Marcel Ngogbehei; the Deputy Director of Media and Communications, Ambassador Aju Elumelu; and the Deputy Director of Strategic Engagement, Sheikh Rufai Al-Saddiq, the party denied reports of a rift and affirmed its commitment to Obi’s candidacy.

The directorate acknowledged efforts to reconcile aggrieved groups within the party but emphasized that no agreement had been reached to replace Obi.

It emphasized the party’s unity and cohesion behind Obi, who has been ratified as the presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

The directorate said: “The leadership and members of our great party recognize the importance of peaceful coexistence among brothers and acknowledge the fact that there’s a bigger target—liberating Nigeria from the shackles of greedy politicians and building a nation that protects the interests of its citizens.

“The party has decided to follow a peaceful approach to resolving internal misunderstandings. This effort within the Labour Party and its successes have elicited different reactions; we have also seen an attempt by the opposition to make a false spin for their own selfish interests, misinforming the general public with the aim of causing more crises in our party.

“For the record, this directorate was set up to facilitate reconciliation and help mobilize and integrate Labour Party stakeholders toward electoral victory for our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in 2027.

“The party leadership recognizes the need for unity and cohesion within the party as a requirement for internal stability and improving the winning chances of H.E. Peter Obi in the upcoming 2027 elections.
“We have reached out through various channels to different stakeholders, and discussions are still ongoing on various fronts; we are also making great progress in this endeavor. To misconstrue this effort as being against our presidential candidate is unfortunate. 

“To set the record straight, Peter Obi remains our presidential candidate for 2027 as ratified, and all the party leadership are behind him and committed to his message of a new Nigeria.”

With this clarification, the Labour Party has put to rest speculations about Obi’s candidacy, reaffirming its faith in his leadership and vision for Nigeria.

Tinubu deserves commendation for emulating me — Obi

Meanwhile, Mr. Peter Obi, has said President Bola Tinubu deserved commendation for heeding his call on wealthy Nigerians to join him in sinking boreholes to provide access to water for the downtrodden.
Obi said this via a statement issued by the Peter Obi Media Reach, in Abuja, yesterday.

This was in response to the Presidential directive that 400 boreholes be constructed nationwide as part of a charity initiative to honour the memory of his late mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

Dr. Tanko Yunusa, who signed the statement, said: “The office of the Peter Obi Media Reach, POMR wishes to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for harkening to the call of our principal, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, to wealthy Nigerians to join him in ensuring the provision of boreholes across the country for the oppressed in our midst.

“Obi embarked on the project after witnessing what many Nigerians go through trying to get basic needs such as drinking water.

“He had already installed some boreholes as a short time solution in some Northern states, including Nasarawa, Bauchi, Kano, Zaria, Kebbi, Suleja in Niger State and Sokoto, where the situation is acute.

“At the special anniversary of the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji in Abuja at the weekend, the President announced a nationwide project to construct 400 boreholes as a continuation of charity in the late mother’s memory.

“The POMR commends this spirit of charity from the President as it aligns with our principal’s desire to attend to the poor in our midst.

“POMR would like to advise that this new line of thinking from the President should be reflected in government projects which at the moment are not addressing the yearnings of the poor in our midst.

“It remains shameful that in a nation where millions have no access to clean drinking water, millions of children are out of school and have no access to decent healthcare with millions of youths out of jobs, yet the government is placing priority on bogus projects such as coastal highway, mansions, flyovers and buying of jets etc as a priority.

“The President’s new spirit of charity, if it continues, will help in pulling many Nigerians out of poverty if it’s diversified.”

Labour Party has reiterated its support for Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2027 election, dismissing rumours of a potential replacement.

In a statement jointly signed yesterday by the Director-General of the Directorate on Mobilization and Integration, Marcel Ngogbehei; the Deputy Director of Media and Communications, Ambassador Aju Elumelu; and the Deputy Director of Strategic Engagement, Sheikh Rufai Al-Saddiq, the party denied reports of a rift and affirmed its commitment to Obi’s candidacy.

The directorate acknowledged efforts to reconcile aggrieved groups within the party but emphasized that no agreement had been reached to replace Obi.

It emphasized the party’s unity and cohesion behind Obi, who has been ratified as the presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

The directorate said: “The leadership and members of our great party recognize the importance of peaceful coexistence among brothers and acknowledge the fact that there’s a bigger target—liberating Nigeria from the shackles of greedy politicians and building a nation that protects the interests of its citizens.

“The party has decided to follow a peaceful approach to resolving internal misunderstandings. This effort within the Labour Party and its successes have elicited different reactions; we have also seen an attempt by the opposition to make a false spin for their own selfish interests, misinforming the general public with the aim of causing more crises in our party.

“For the record, this directorate was set up to facilitate reconciliation and help mobilize and integrate Labour Party stakeholders toward electoral victory for our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in 2027.

“The party leadership recognizes the need for unity and cohesion within the party as a requirement for internal stability and improving the winning chances of H.E. Peter Obi in the upcoming 2027 elections.
“We have reached out through various channels to different stakeholders, and discussions are still ongoing on various fronts; we are also making great progress in this endeavor. To misconstrue this effort as being against our presidential candidate is unfortunate.

“To set the record straight, Peter Obi remains our presidential candidate for 2027 as ratified, and all the party leadership are behind him and committed to his message of a new Nigeria.”

With this clarification, the Labour Party has put to rest speculations about Obi’s candidacy, reaffirming its faith in his leadership and vision for Nigeria.

Tinubu deserves commendation for emulating me — Obi

Meanwhile, Mr. Peter Obi, has said President Bola Tinubu deserved commendation for heeding his call on wealthy Nigerians to join him in sinking boreholes to provide access to water for the downtrodden.
Obi said this via a statement issued by the Peter Obi Media Reach, in Abuja, yesterday.

This was in response to the Presidential directive that 400 boreholes be constructed nationwide as part of a charity initiative to honour the memory of his late mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

Dr. Tanko Yunusa, who signed the statement, said: “The office of the Peter Obi Media Reach, POMR wishes to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for harkening to the call of our principal, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, to wealthy Nigerians to join him in ensuring the provision of boreholes across the country for the oppressed in our midst.

“Obi embarked on the project after witnessing what many Nigerians go through trying to get basic needs such as drinking water.

“He had already installed some boreholes as a short time solution in some Northern states, including Nasarawa, Bauchi, Kano, Zaria, Kebbi, Suleja in Niger State and Sokoto, where the situation is acute.

“At the special anniversary of the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji in Abuja at the weekend, the President announced a nationwide project to construct 400 boreholes as a continuation of charity in the late mother’s memory.

“The POMR commends this spirit of charity from the President as it aligns with our principal’s desire to attend to the poor in our midst.

“POMR would like to advise that this new line of thinking from the President should be reflected in government projects which at the moment are not addressing the yearnings of the poor in our midst.

“It remains shameful that in a nation where millions have no access to clean drinking water, millions of children are out of school and have no access to decent healthcare with millions of youths out of jobs, yet the government is placing priority on bogus projects such as coastal highway, mansions, flyovers and buying of jets etc as a priority.

“The President’s new spirit of charity, if it continues, will help in pulling many Nigerians out of poverty if it’s diversified.”