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Atiku Campaigns In Bayelsa, Says Niger Delta Shouldn’t Beg FG For Everything

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Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the Niger Delta needs more restructuring than any other part of Nigeria.

The former vice-president spoke on Monday at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa.

While promising to devolve more powers to the Niger Delta, Abubakar said the region does not need to “beg” the federal government for everything because it produces the nation’s resources.

“We propose to restructure this country. You people in the Niger Delta need more restructuring than any other part of this country,” he said.

“We would give you more resources and power to deal with your problems. You don’t need to always beg the federal government for everything when you are actually producing the resources of the country.

“So, we will devolve more power and resources to you in the Niger Delta.”

Abubakar also said every developmental project done in Bayelsa since 1999 was executed by the PDP administration.

“I want to remind you since the beginning of democracy, Bayelsa has been PDP and PDP has been Bayelsa,” he said.

“Everything you see in Bayelsa today was provided by the PDP government, everything. Therefore, I am calling on you, the people of Bayelsa, not to leave PDP; don’t make the mistake of leaving PDP.

“You have provided governors and a president, and you are going to provide many more. So, the future of Nigeria and Bayelsa is tied to PDP.

“I want to appeal to you. You have listened to my programmes. I said I am committed to implementing five key programmes in this country starting from the unification of this country.”

The former vice-president said he will unify the country and tackle insecurity.

“The reason why I want to unify the country is that we have never been this divided along a number of faultlines either north-south or Muslims and Christians,” he said.

“I am going to give every part of this country a sense of belonging in the next PDP government. I promise to tackle insecurity.

“Here in Bayelsa state, you have faced a number of security challenges, and you have lost so many people due to breach of law and order. I promise I will restore security in this country.

“I also said I am going to tackle the economy of this country. If you recall, the PDP government, between 1999 and 2015, had the best economy in Africa. But the APC has pushed us back and brought us down.

“We promise that we are going to tackle the economy and make sure that we provide jobs and other opportunities for our young men and women to be gainfully employed either in the private sector or public sector.

“Again, we promise that we would never see any more ASUU strikes. We would devote a lot of resources to education to make sure that our young men and women are educated and they continue to go to school without any interruption.

“These are the key areas of our developmental programmes. I appeal for your support and understanding and cooperation so that we can achieve all these goals.”

BIG STORY

Mental Health: Obasa Advocates Collective Responsibility, Collaboration With Lawmakers [PHOTOS]

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Given the grimness and prevalence of mental health issues across the country, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has advocated inter-sectoral collaboration with the assembly and collective responsibility by agencies, individuals, and institutions.

Speaking in his capacity as chairman at the Seventh Public Lecture of the Board of Fellows, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), held Tuesday, July 2, 2025, at the Festival Hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, Obasa described the theme, Mental Health: A Basic Human Right Crucial to Personal, Community, and Socio-Economic Development, as timely and globally relevant.

He opined, “We live in times where the mental health of individuals is increasingly becoming a matter of public concern because globally, there is a rising incidence of mental health disorders, and unfortunately, Nigeria is not exempted.”

The Lagos Speaker reckoned that mental health is crucial to personal and community development because, “It is the bedrock upon which personal growth and achievements are built. For our nation to thrive, we need citizens who are mentally sound and can contribute meaningfully to national development.

“Socio-economic development is intertwined with mental health. A nation with a high burden of mental health disorders will undoubtedly suffer a decline in productivity, a decrease in the quality of life, and a strain on health resources.”

Conversely, he said that a community with a high prevalence of mental health disorders is not only destabilised but also lacks progress. Therefore, he continued, “It is important that we take collective responsibility to ensure that our communities are mentally healthy. As a nation, we must pay keen attention to mental health and integrate it into our public health policies.”

Obasa recalled that the issue of mental health is very dear to him, which encouraged the enactment of the Lagos State Mental Health Service Law of 2018 during his first term as Speaker. The law provides for the protection and care of individuals with mental health conditions and substance abuse, stresses the rights of patients, including the right to treatment close to their domicile, and the same rights as physically ill persons. It also focuses on integrating mental health services into primary healthcare, providing comprehensive coverage, and fostering intersectoral collaboration.

However, Obasa noted that professional bodies like the PSN are not collaborating enough with lawmakers to drive change. “We must advocate for policies that promote mental health care, combat stigma, and support initiatives to enhance mental well-being. Together, we can ensure that mental health is recognized as a basic human right essential to personal, community, and socio-economic development,” he concluded.

Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.), Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and special guest of honour, linked the rise in mental health issues to fake drugs and substance abuse. He described mental health as a neglected aspect of public health and called for increased awareness and sensitisation programs by the PSN.

In his address, Pharm. Uche Akpakama, chairman, Board of Fellows, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, said, “It is documented that more than a quarter of the Nigerian population has mental health issues, exacerbated by the current socio-economic situations, including extreme poverty, internal displacement, insecurity, and unemployment.” Akpakama said he hoped that the public lecture would address the current state of mental health in Nigeria, the role of pharmacists, other health professionals, and proffer strategies for promoting mental health awareness.

The keynote speaker, Dr Gbonjubola Abiri, a Consultant Psychiatrist and CEO of Redi-Med Consulting, a medical consultancy firm, said having established the grimness of the situation, “the drive now is to ensure mental health promotion and the prevention of mental health disorders in the general population, while also ensuring that persons with mental disorders are given the best attention to manage their health so that they can live their best lives despite their conditions.”

Pharm. Gbenga Falabi, chairman of the planning committee, declared that the annual lecture serves as a platform for knowledge-sharing and developing strategies to promote mental health awareness. “Today’s insights will enhance our understanding of mental health’s critical role in personal, community, and socio-economic development,” he said.

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BIG STORY

BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu Receives 60th Birthday Special Publication From Lanre Alfred At Lagos House [PHOTOS]

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It was all praise and admiration as celebrated author and media consultant, Lanre Alfred, formally presented his newly published special publication on the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, titled “The Man Who Carried a City”, at a modest but poignant gathering held at the Lagos House, Marina, today.

The gathering, witnessed by a select group of the Governor’s cabinet members and close aides, marked a symbolic celebration of Sanwo-Olu’s 60th birthday on June 25, 2025. Present to honour the occasion was also Wale Olaleye, Deputy Editor of THISDAY Newspaper, who penned the foreword of the book, and Kayode Olashile-Alfred, THISDAY columnist and a media and hospitality entrepreneur.

A visibly delighted Governor Sanwo-Olu received the commemorative volume with joy and deep gratitude, expressing astonishment at the richness of the work and the devotion behind it. “I am genuinely impressed by the quality of this book,” he remarked, commending Alfred’s bold initiative, which was undertaken without any financial or material incentive. “It is rare to see this level of literary commitment that is driven purely by admiration and civic appreciation.”

Alfred, renowned for his lyrical prose and insightful portraits of Nigeria’s high achievers, revealed that he embarked on the book project 18 months ago, moved by a deep admiration for Governor Sanwo-Olu’s revolutionary governance and resilient leadership, particularly during moments of turbulence.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu’s journey is not just a political story, it is a deeply human one,” Alfred said during the presentation. “This is a man who steered Lagos through the chaos of COVID-19, the trauma of #EndSARS, and the daily complexities of managing Africa’s largest subnational economy, without losing the human touch.”

He described the special publication as a literary monument to a governor who has governed with empathy, deliberateness, and vision. “I wanted to ensure that such a legacy is preserved beyond fleeting headlines or public memory. ‘The Man Who Carried a City’ is not a tribute to power, but to purpose. It is an archive of grace under pressure, of governance without theatrics, of leadership defined by listening rather than loudness.”

In his remarks, Wale Olaleye described the book’s narrative as “probing and profound,” noting that Alfred’s portrait of Sanwo-Olu goes beyond celebration. “It is also a mirror,” he said, “a reminder of what true public service can look like in our time.”

Kayode Olashile-Alfred, who has followed Alfred’s literary career closely, lauded the work as “a powerful addition to the canon of modern Nigerian political special publication,” adding that “Dr Alfred has succeeded in blending scholarship, poetry, and reportage into a narrative that preserves not just a man’s record, but his essence.”

“The Man Who Carried a City” is published by Old English Partners and spans over 326 glossy pages richly adorned with evocative photography and meditative prose. From Sanwo-Olu’s formative years and quiet rise through public service, to his tumultuous yet steady-handed tenure as governor, the book distils a lifetime of service into a series of vivid, emotionally intelligent portraits.

The book’s evocative chapters—“The Clockmaker’s Spawn,” “Lagos in His Lungs,” “The Politics of Listening,” “2020… The Year Lagos Trembled,” and “Legacy as a Living Covenant” trace policy achievements and the philosophical, emotional scaffolding of Sanwo-Olu’s public life. A chapter titled “Ibijoke” presents the First Lady’s quiet strength as a stabilising pillar in the governor’s journey.

Alfred noted that in an era where political narratives are often distorted or forgotten, he considers it a duty to document leaders who have served meaningfully. “Nigeria’s problem is not the absence of worthy leaders,” he said, “it is our failure to preserve their stories. Sanwo-Olu’s calm through crisis, his civic fidelity, and his silent sacrifices deserve a place in our national archives.”

The Man Who Carried a City is both a birthday gift and a civic reflection; a reminder that in turbulent times, quiet courage and steadfast service still matter.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, Opposition Coalition Leaders Arrive For ADC Unveiling

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Leaders from different opposition parties are converging at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja for a press briefing organised by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Those already present include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP); Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna governor; and Dino Melaye, a former senator.

Also in attendance are Solomon Dalung, former minister of youth and sports; media figure Dele Momodu; ex-senator Gabriel Suswam; and Ireti Kingibe, a current LP senator.

Others present include Rotimi Amaechi, ex-governor of Rivers; and Emeka Ihedioha, former deputy speaker of the house of representatives.

The event has drawn participation from members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the LP.

Former Senate President David Mark led other coalition members into the hall as the programme began.

Also in attendance are Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun governor and interim national chairman of the ADC; and Aminu Tambuwal, ex-governor of Sokoto.

Earlier in the day, the ADC coalition unveiling faced a disruption after the original venue cancelled the booking at the last minute.

The event was initially planned for the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Asokoro, Abuja.

Just hours before the scheduled time, organisers were notified that the hotel would not proceed with hosting the event.

A screenshot of the hotel’s notice, shared by Momodu on Instagram, cited an “internal compliance matter” as the reason for the cancellation.

Following the development, the coalition secured the Yar’Adua Centre as an alternative venue.

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