Anambra State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has appealed to the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, to return to the party.

DAILY POST recalls that Obi defected to LP when he felt he could not achieve his presidential ambition within the PDP’s fold.

The PDP made the appeal following the enlarged meeting of the State Executive Committee, SEC, to review the state of the party and chart a way forward in Awka on Thursday.

According to the communique, signed by the State Chairman of the party, Chidi Chidebe, alliances with ideologically incompatible political formations in the guise of coalitions would likely not yield the desired success.

“The committee extends an open invitation to all aggrieved and former members of the PDP in Anambra, particularly our revered former governor, Mr Peter Obi, to return home and reunite with the now rejuvenated and restructured PDP.

“We will gladly welcome our brothers and sisters back to join us in the collective quest for a better Nigeria,” he said.

Chidebe told Anambra electorate to support Mr Jude Ezenwafor and his running mate, Mr Francis Okeke, in the coming election while urging the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure a fair, transparent, and impartial electoral process.

While announcing the unanimous nomination of Chief Clems Ezike to fill the vacant position of National Ex-Officio from Anambra, Chidebe urged the Southeast Zonal Executive Committee under Chief Ali Odefa to recognise and transmit same to the national secretariat.

The ‘Id al-Kabir is indeed the great festival. It is great because of the merger that it evolves between the profane and the sacred.

This is a festival that predates Prophet Muhammad (may His mercies and benedictions be on his soul); it is a festival instituted by the Almighty through the agency of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail (upon them be peace and blessings of the Almighty).

Here goes the story, the story of faith and the faithful.

He started out as a believer, a lonely believer in the Almighty at a time humanity chose to disbelieve in Him. He started out by asking his mother who his creator and god was. His mother told him it was his father, Azar. Prophet Ibrahim was not contented.

The notion that his father was his god appeared jejune. So he asked his mother once again who was the creator of his father? His mother told him it was Nimrod. the emperor, the king of the time. “If Nimrod is the god of my father, who was his own creator”? Nobody could provide a categorical answer. But Prophet Ibrahim knew the answer.

He knew that his Creator is neither a human being nor a Jinn. He knew that his Creator had no beginning and no end. He knew that his Creator is both undated and beyond spatial limitations. He knew that his Creator is He who fashioned and created the cosmos out of nothing. Thus he chose to believe in Him.

He chose to believe in the Almighty. But to believe in the Almighty is to make a difficult but extremely rewarding choice. To believe in the Almighty at a time humanity has apostacized is to run the risk of being oppressed or humiliated.

Thus he was tormented and punished by the idolatrous community in which he was born. But he knew that adversity is a precondition or a prerequisite for posterity, not the other way round.

He knew that he would win but he had to endure tribulation. In other words, of the immutable principles that undergird the universe is that hardships are precedent to ease; that there can be no triumphs without trials; that there can be no pleasure without pain! Thus he was thrown into a burning fire but the power to burn was taken away from the latter by the Almighty (Quran 21:69).

He, therefore, emerged from the inferno unscathed. But in that very instance, by coming out of the fire unhurt, Prophet Ibrahim (upon him be peace) became an eternal model for all partakers of the Islamic creed. He became an exemplar in our on-going battle against earthly principalities.

Brethren, when someone propose to oppress, torment and subject you to untold suffering, the Id al-Kabir takes place every year to remind you of the emptiness of that threat once you stand for and with your Creator. No evil shall come your way except by His permission!

This represents the core of faith, of our spiritual capital! Brethren, let us quickly fast forward to the family established by Prophet Ibrahim, a family of faith, piety and perseverance.

He was the patriarch, not a masculinist. Sarah was the wife, the extremely contented and humble mother of Ishaq, from whose womb the Jews emerged. Hajar was also the other wife, mother of Ismail, (upon them be peace) from whose womb Ismail emerged.

Prophet Ibrahim’s family featured a man, two women and two sons all of whom were individually destined to impact human history in extremely dissimilar and similar ways.

In other words, every action of these characters, while they were on earth, was destined to be a signifier. They were all involved in creating history without actually knowing it; they ‘transacted’ in spiritual-physical, secular and sacred ‘businesses’ that were destined to become models and examples for humanity till eternity.

For example dear brethren, Prophet Ibrahim dreamt he offered his son, Prophet Ismail, as sacrifice to the Almighty. He proceeded to inform him of what he saw and the latter, without hesitation, encouraged his father to carry out the divine inspiration without prevarication.

Why was Prophet Ibrahim blessed with such a child who was ready to travel with him in the wilderness of spirituality? Why was he blessed with such a faithful child? My teachers suggested it was pay-back-time for him.

Yes. Prophet Ibrahim was equally dutiful to his parents; the Almighty therefore would not and could not have blessed him with another son other than a lovely and dutiful one. My brother where and how is your father today?

Pause a moment and ask yourself: where and how is your ‘mama’ now? Thus in that lonely desert that day, father and son got together to do what the father was convinced were the imprimatur divine inspiration; the bidding of the Almighty.

He wanted to sacrifice his son; the son wanted to offer himself to the Almighty. Father desired to please the Almighty; the son wanted to curry the favour of the former who in turn was desirous of pleasing the Owner of the heavens and the earth.

Meanwhile the mother of the son, Hajar, occupied a lonely space. In silence, she bore the pain of the then inevitable loss of her son. In silence, she opened up her hearts to the Almighty. Ismail, was the only fruit of her womb.

She had hoped that he would be alive to take care of her tomb. But there she was all alone as she submitted her desires and aspirations to the Almighty, the Owner of her womb and tomb! Eventually, her patience and silence were rewarded. Her fears became a glistening hope. Her son found redemption in her fortitude and in the fortress of her faith.

What a unique and wonderful scene and sight to behold – of the fruit that adds value to the tree; of the water whose beautiful taste hacks back to its fountain, of the hive and the comb from which honey of various taste gushes forth! Brethren, Id al-Kabir is here to remind us, once again, of how the Almighty usually intervene to turn a situation of hopelessness to that of hope and happiness.

Prophet Ibrahim was told: “You have indeed affirmed the dream” and consequently a beautiful ram was given to him as ransom for his son.

Thus sacrifice became not an end in itself but a means towards a nobler end: an end to the sacrifice of humans in history, an end to the ascension of pernicious authorities in humans which usually make them go against the will of the Almighty, an end to greed, self-conceitedness, and inane glorification of the ephemeral not the eternal.

Sacrifice of animals on this day reminds the servants of the Almighty of their utter weakness in relation to every entity in the universe. Were it not for the WILL and favour of the Almighty, how could we by ourselves control and exert our authority over these sacrificial lambs?

Remember that the Id al-Kabir signifies our arrival for a religious duty; it also signals our constant departure to walk with our Creator. Somebody asked me “who knows tomorrow?”; a brother intervened and said “nobody does”.

But who owns tomorrow?” he queried again. ‘It is the Almighty’. We all chorused. May He who knows and owns tomorrow dispel our sorrow and lead us out of this tunnel of underperformance and pettiness to that of greatness!

 [DailyTrust]

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday called on Nigerians to be patient with his administration’s reforms, assuring that “the toughest days are behind us.”

Tinubu gave the assurance in his message to mark the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

He insisted that his economic reforms had already started yielding positive results even though the journey had not been easy.

Read full message:

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nigerian Muslims and the global Muslim Ummah as we celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

Eid-el-Kabir represents the high point of the sacred first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, a period filled with opportunities for acts of worship and good deeds. It is a time for gratitude to Almighty Allah for His countless mercies upon us as individuals and a nation.

While this festival is marked with joy and celebration, its true significance lies much deeper: Eid calls us to reflect on its core values of sacrifice, devotion, and selflessness.

To truly honour Eid, we must embody these virtues, just as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) exemplified complete submission to Allah’s will and as our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taught us. Let this sacred occasion renew our commitment to these ideals.

Eid-el-Kabir also reminds us of our responsibilities beyond faith: to show resilience, tolerance, compassion, and dedication to the progress of our beloved country.

I reaffirm my commitment to these values and express my deep appreciation for the faith, patience, and perseverance Nigerians show as we implement bold reforms. Together, we have weathered challenging times and are approaching a brighter horizon.

Though the journey has not been easy, and some doubted our direction, the resilience of public and private sector leaders, along with the steadfast support of most Nigerians, is yielding results.

I assure you that the toughest days are behind us. We are entering a new era of renewed hope and prosperity that we promised two years ago.

We may not yet be where we aspire to be, but I urge all Nigerians not to lose hope. Let us hold on to our faith and persevere. Our reforms are gaining traction, with key economic indicators now moving in a positive direction. Soon, all will feel the benefits.

The ultimate objective of these reforms is not just to improve statistics but to transform lives and set Nigeria firmly on the path to sustainable development.

There are no quick fixes, but we are committed to repairing the foundations of our economy once and for all. Our administration will continue acting in the nation’s best interest, ensuring that the gains we are recording translate into improving people’s lives.

We crafted our Renewed Hope Agenda to bring prosperity to every Nigerian, and we remain steadfast in our pursuit of it. As we celebrate today, remember that Eid-el-Kabir enjoins love, compassion, and generosity for all, regardless of faith or background. Let us care for one another’s well-being during this season and always.

In this instance, I recall recent sad developments in our country, particularly the Wednesday, May 28 heavy flooding, which submerged the market town of Mokwa, Niger State, causing deaths and destruction of properties and creating an untold humanitarian crisis.

Let us pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and fortitude for their relations. Let us join hands with the government to bring succour to the people of Mokwa.

Finally, as we observe this Eid, let us continue our prayers for our front-line officers, who risk their lives for our safety and security.

Let us pray for our leaders at all levels and our country. Let us pray for peace in our tumultuous world of troubles and uncertainties. Let us dedicate this sacred celebration to seeking God’s guidance and blessings for our country.

May those who have more remember those in need, sharing kindness and support as true brothers and sisters. Let the virtues of perseverance, sacrifice, loyalty, faith, and shared humanity bind us closer.

May the joy and blessings of Eid-ul-Adha multiply in our lives and the life of our great nation.

May Almighty Allah accept our worship and devotion as acts of Ibadah, and may His blessings be with us always.

• ‘Funding will be adequate’

• Fed Govt bans dredging within 10km-radius of bridges

Critics of the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other legacy projects being implemented under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Agenda (RHIA) are ill-informed, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said

“They are uninformed about the project’s procurement structure and national significance,” the President said yesterday during the inspection and kick-off of new segments of key infrastructure projects in Lagos.

He pledged to make more funds available for infrastructure development, urging governors to collaborate with the Federal Government to align building approvals.

According to the President, his administration’s approach to legacy road construction, including the coastal highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, is deliberate and transparent.

He explained that the projects are being implemented in manageable sections and not as a single-bulk contract as some critics have alleged.

The President clarified that only specific segments of the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway have been awarded, with the completed 30-kilometre portion falling under Section I – a 47.7-kilometre stretch being handled by contractors under the Federal Executive Council’s phased approval.

He said the critics failed to grasp the methodical structure of the project, suggesting that those who complain about cost should be prepared to pay tolls if they wish to use it.

President Tinubu emphasised that no contractor had been awarded the entire length of the 750-kilometre coastal route.

The contracts, he said, “are being procured in parts to ensure accountability and efficiency”.

He also pointed to progress on the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, a project initially envisioned during the administration of the late President Shehu Shagari, nearly five decades ago but now revived as part of the administration’s Renewed Hope infrastructure agenda.

President Tinubu said the superhighway spans seven states — Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos — and is strategically important for agriculture, trade, industrialisation, and regional integration.

Citing specific milestones, the President noted that over 10 kilometres of a three-lane carriageway have been completed in Kebbi State, with work commencing on the second carriageway — the longest single stretch within the entire legacy infrastructure portfolio.

In Sokoto, he said work had also started on a 120-kilometre three-lane section from Illela, with the first 10 kilometres already completed.

President Tinubu also announced progress on the second carriageway of the Sokoto segment, while confirming that more sections of the highway are being prepared for procurement.

He reported encouraging progress on Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, noting that more than 10 kilometres of the 55-kilometre stretch have been completed.

In the Southern corridor, the President confirmed that work is ongoing in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

He said he had directed relevant authorities to accelerate the design and procurement of additional sections to keep pace with the government’s rollout targets.

President Tinubu also provided an update on the Trans-Sahara Trade Route, which he described as another strategic priority.

The route, which is under active development, will link Calabar to Abuja through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states — creating new commercial arteries across central Nigeria and beyond.

He said: “I urge you, David (Umahi), to ignore those critics; they lack understanding. If they find fault with the road or deem it too costly, let them pay a toll to use it.

“It is necessary to note that the Federal Executive Council approved our legacy projects to be procured, awarded and constructed in sections.”

Explaining the Sokoto-Badagry project, he added: “It connects over 58 dams, vast arable farmlands, and trade routes to our West African neighbours and offers great promise for windmill energy generation. Construction is well underway.”

On his call for federal-state collaboration on building plan approvals, the President said proper approval of alignment between subnational and federal governments will facilitate the construction of major roads and bridges across the country.

“I have directed the Minister of Works, David Umahi and the Surveyor-General of the Federation to work more closely with the governors,” the President said.

President Tinubu believes aligning state approvals with the Federal Government will reduce the burden of compensation and delays in actualising people-oriented projects.

“Please, my dear governors, let’s work together. Don’t give planning approvals without collaboration with the Surveyor-General and the Ministry of Works. I am appealing to you to realise the same development goal.

“Let me emphasise the ban by the Federal Government of Nigeria on any dredging within a 10km radius of all our Bridges nationwide.

“I appeal to all governors, relevant agencies, and security agencies to implement this ban immediately.”

[TheNation]