The Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate for 2023, Peter Obi, has denounced the anti-Yoruba remarks made by an Igbo woman in Canada, calling them an example of intolerance gone too far.

Such polarizing remarks, according to Obi, have no place in our society and need to be disapproved of by all.
This was said by the LP standard bearer on Friday in a string of tweets on his X handle.

Obi responded to a voice that was spreading online, that of Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian-Canadian living in Canada, who made threats to use drugs to hurt other Nigerians who were Yoruba or Bini.

Obi said, “I utterly condemn the reported hateful statement and actions attributed to a purported Igbo woman living in Canada against Yoruba or Benin people. Such divisive comments or behaviour have no place in our society.

“As Nigerians, we should unite and focus on addressing our shared challenges, rather than allowing tribalism and hatred to tear us apart.

“What does tribal bigotry achieve? Does it lift people out of poverty? Does it reduce the cost of bread, rice, garri or yam, in the market? Does it improve our transportation system or enhance the electricity supply? Does it ensure good governance? The answer is a resounding NO!!

“Our priority should be to move Nigeria forward, regardless of tribe or ethnicity. We need leaders who have the competence and capability to move the country forward in the right direction, and better life for all citizens.

“We don’t care about the tribe of the plane’s pilot or the bus driver; all we need is competent leadership that delivers results.

The battle Israel is conducting in the Gaza Strip has been briefly halted by the necessity to vaccinate about 640,000 children under the age of ten against polio.

In order to enable health officials to vaccinate youngsters in Gaza against polio, Israel consented to a series of three-day “humanitarian pauses.” This was stated yesterday by the World Health Organization, or WHO.

“The way we discussed and agreed, the campaign will start on the first of September, in central Gaza, for three days. And there will be a humanitarian pause during the vaccination,” said Rik Peeperkorn, the agency’s representative for Palestinian territories.

Both northern and southern Gaza will be included in the immunization campaign. Each will receive a three-day break, Peeperkorn informed the media. He further mentioned that Israel had promised to give one more day if needed.

The goal of the immunization program is to immunize nearly 640,000 youngsters less than ten.

“We stress the critical importance for all parties to adhere to the commitments that have been made,” Michael Ryan, WHO deputy director-general, told the UN Security Council.

“At least 90 percent of coverage is needed during each round of the campaign to stop the outbreak and prevent the international spread of polio,” he added.

He reported that 1.26 million doses of the NoPV2 vaccination had been sent to Gaza and that 400,000 more were on their way.

Oral administration of the vaccination involves two drops. To finish the immunization, medical personnel must come back in four weeks to give each youngster two more drops.

Still, there hasn’t been any public debate about scheduling another ceasefire.

Oren Marmorstein, Israel’s foreign affairs spokesman, said on X that his government “has coordinated a large-scale operation with WHO and UNICEF to vaccinate children in the Gaza Strip against polio.”

Claiming support for the “UN humanitarian truce,” Hamas

Deputy US ambassador to the UN Robert Wood stated that it is “crucial that this campaign be implemented without delay.”

“Ensure periods of calm and refrain from military operations during vaccination campaign periods,” he said of Israel, as well as “facilitate access for agencies carrying out the vaccination campaign.”

The polio outbreak in Gaza has alarmed both the US and the EU. Their worries stemmed from the fact that a 10-month-old baby who had not had any vaccinations this month had the first case in 25 years.

The poliovirus is extremely contagious and primarily spreads by tainted water and sewage.

In Gaza, where Israel has destroyed most of the infrastructure in the region during its war with Hamas, poor hygiene is becoming a more widespread issue.

Children under the age of five are primarily affected by the condition. It is potentially lethal and can result in malformations and paralysis.

Onyeka Onwenu, also known as Elegant Stallion, a late Nigerian music icon, will be laid to rest in Lagos today.

The singer collapsed during a celebration honoring Dr. Stella Okoli, the managing director of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, and passed away on July 30, 2024, at Reddington Hospital in Ikeja.

Her funeral service will take place at the Fountain of Life Church Ilupeju, and she will be buried in a private vault in Ikoyi, per a burial plan released by her family, as reported by CKN News.

Additionally, a funeral pamphlet mentioned that the burial is set for 2-4 p.m. and the Service of Songs for 10-12 noon.

She is survived by her two sons.

The University of Ibadan’s (UI) Students’ Union on Friday opposed the increase in tuition that the school council had approved.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the students protested overnight from 10:20 p.m. to 2 a.m. to express their discontent.

In a statement, the Union’s Secretary, Daniel Elemide, Vice President Bolutife Aboderin, and President Bolaji Aweda all condemned the additional fees.

“We reject the decision made by the council. We are embarking on a boycott of classes until our demands are fulfilled.

“We demand a reversal of the increase. The students demand that the school fees portal should be shut down within 24 hours until our demands are met,” they said.

Students should utilize social media to mobilize others behind the hashtags #UIFEESMUSTFALL and #SAVEUITES until their demands are granted, according to the union officials.

According to NAN, the university’s governing council decided on Thursday to raise the tuition for students from 100 to 400 levels while also establishing a payment deadline.

The decision was made at the inaugural meeting of the council, which was held earlier on Thursday, and it evaluated the new levy as requested by the University Senate, according to a statement signed by G.O. Saliu, the registrar and secretary to the council, and made accessible to UCJUI.

According to the council, students who haven’t finished registering are urged to do so by September 4 at the latest.

“Consequently, students who are yet to pay and complete their registration exercises are advised to do so on or before Sept. 4, to enable departments to download lists of registered students in preparation for the First Semester Examination,” the release read in part.

Furthermore, in order to support financially disadvantaged students, the council encouraged students to apply for financial aid from sources including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and other scholarships provided by the institution and other donors.

The council also said unequivocally that the portal will close after the designated day, therefore there would be no extension of the registration deadline.

In order to support impoverished students, Council also recommended that students be encouraged to apply for various scholarships offered by the institution and other WELL-meaning individuals, as well as the Students’ Loan Fund (NELFUND).

The announcement went on to say, “Below is for strict adherence, as the portal will not be opened after the deadline.”

According to NAN, after the protest in July, the deadline for paying school fees was first postponed. (NAN)