President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has expressed  optimism  in the ability of President Bola Tinubu to address the challenges being faced by the country .
He, therefore  enjoined Nigerians to continue to pray for President Tinubu to succeed in transforming the  fortunes of Nigeria.
Lawan  in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media,  Ezrel Tabiowo made the call over the weekend while taking questions from journalists after casting his vote during Saturday’s local government elections in Yobe State.
Lawan commended all local government administrations across Yobe State for living up to the aspirations of the people by delivering on their expectations.
The former Senate President said “We have to continue to pray for the leadership of this country; President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the Asiwaju of the Universe, who is doing everything possible to turn around some of the challenges that this country faces.
“We may not see the outcomes today, but, may be in six months or in one year, we may see them. However, we are seeing some of the outcomes – some are pleasant and some not.
“These are the kind of outcomes we face, but, eventually, Nigeria will be transformed into an Eldorado. Nigeria will become a better country, and, of course, Nigerians will praise Almighty God and thank the leadership of this country.”

By:              Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

One of the former militants in Rivers State, Gen Gabriel Asabuja, has cautioned the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council, Engr Samuel Nwanosike against insulting Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Asabuja warned the council chairman to desist forthwith from debasing the office of the Governor or face dire consequences. He said the council chairman must leave office at the expiration of his tenure on June 17, 2024.
The ex-warlord noted that it is unbecoming for a council chairman like Nwanosike to insult Governer Fubara who was duly elected by the people.
He described Nwanosike as a small boy who insults elders because he found himself at the corridors of power, saying enough of it by such a little boy.
He vowed to confront the Ikwerre council chairman if he fails to vacate office on 17th June, 2024.
He hinted that Rivers youths cannot continue to watch him continue to rain insults on the Governor and elders of the State.
“It is time to keep Nwanosike where he belongs. Let him wait for us on 17th June when his tenure must have expired. We are coming for him at Isiokpo. Let us see whether his father owns the council. We urge government at all levels and security agencies to allow us face Nwanosike. Let us see who is the lord and where Nwanosike is coming from. We are coming to meet him at the council headquarters. Let security agents and government at all levels allow us to fight him and see whose power is greater. His empty noise is too much in the State. Has he fought war in the creeks before? Has he handled arms and ammunition before? If you can insult Amaechi, Omehia and other notable elders and get away with it, this particular one, I can assure you, you will never get away with it. We declare our total and unflinching support to Governor Fubara, because he was elected by the citizenry. As far as we are concerned, Governor Fubara is doing well and we are ready to defend him with every machinery at our disposal. We are not afraid of the Army or police. We stand for justice and fairness. Governor Fubara must complete his eight years just as Wike, and other Ikwerre sons had. Rivers State does not belong to one man alone. Let Wike allow Governor Fubara be and stop distracting him. Rivers people are strongly behind him. No amount of threat and intimidation will make him surrender. I strongly stand with our leaders such Asari-Dokubo, HRM Ateke Tom; and Solomon Ndigbara. We stand with the Rivers electorate who elected Governor Fubara”, he said.
According to him, “any council chairman that fails to handover shall face our wrath.We shall chase them to any angle and we shall defeat them”.

The traditional rulers of Ohafia Ancient Kingdom in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, under the aegis of the Council of Ohafia Monarchs, have thrown their weight behind the July 6, 2024 burial date of the deceased Paramount Ruler of Ohafia Ancient Kingdom, late Ezie Ohamoha, His Royal Paramountcy, Prof Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga, Ebiri of Elu and Udumeze of Ohafia, as agreed upon by the family and Ikwu of the late monarch.
The traditional rulers gave the indication in a communique dated June 8, 2024, and issued after rising from a joint meeting of the Council of Ohafia Monarchs and the Counts(Obichia) Ohafia.
According to the communique signed by the General Secretary of the Council of Ohafia Monarchs, HRM Mba Odo Okereke; Ezie Agba Ohafia, HRM Dr Kalu Ikenga; Count of Ohafia Ancient Kingdom, Nze Uche Uche Ohafia; and Dr Emmanuel Udo Kalu Ukpai, they affirmed the burial date following the receipt of a letter dated June 4, 2024 from the Amala Elu-In-Council.
“The Council together with our Counts(Obichia) took notice of your fears and expressions and confirm that we are traditionally bound by the customs and rites of Ohafia Ancient Kingdom.Accordingly, we state that the burial date of 6th July, 2024 as agreed by the family and Ikwu, as earlier approved by the Council is sacrosanct”, they said.
The traditional rulers also noted that all issues internal that will conflict with the July 6 burial date of the late Udumeze is not acceptable, as they would not condone it.
They, however, said Elu Ohafia Community is at liberty to decide on the burial of its Ezieogo, stressing that “the family of the late Udumeze, by this letter are approved to go ahead with other interested parties to continue with the burial arrangement for 6th of July, 2024 as agreed”.
While reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Burial Committee of the late Udumeze, Chief Kalu Ikpemini described the position of the Ohafia monarchs as a welcome development, saying it has put to rest every doubt and speculation surrounding the burial date of the revered monarch.
He, therefore, called on Umu Elu, the entire people of Ohafia Ancient Kingdom and people of goodwill all over the world to support the efforts of the committee, the family, friends and well-wishers to give the late Udumeze a befitting burial on July 6, 2024.
He also expressed profound gratitude to the monarchs and to all Ohafia people who have identified with the noble cause of giving the deceased paramount ruler a befitting burial.