Dr Ayodele Festus Olorunfemi has emerged the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) ahead of the November 16 Ondo State Governorship Election.

Reports says that Olorunfemi was returned unopposed during the LP primary election held at the party’s secretariat in Akure on Friday.

Mr Olusola Ayodele, Chairman of the LP Primary Committee from the national secretariat, Abuja, declared Olorunfemi as the candidate, having fulfilled the requirements and guidelines of the party.

Ayodele said out of three aspirants that showed interest, only Olorunfemi obtained the nomination form of N25 million, while the two other aspirants did not pay to obtain the form.

“We have no other option than to pronounce the only aspirant, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, who fulfilled the conditions in line with the guidelines, as elected and returned unopposed.

“The disqualified aspirants, Otunba Yemi Farimoyo and Prince Ojajuni Eniola, however, still have the option to send their grievances, if any, to the appeal committee.

“So, I hereby congratulate you all for a successful primary and wish you all journey mercies to your destination,” Ayodele said.

In an acceptance speech, the LP candidate, Dr Olorunfemi, said he would embark on welfarist programmes if elected as the governor of Ondo State.

According to him, Labour Party, being a socialist-oriented political party, will focus on governance that reflects people because “we are people-centred.”

“Therefore, we are going to be working assiduously on a four-point agenda of health, education, employment creation and massive infrastructural development, using local resources, particularly direct labour system.

“We will ensure prudent utilisation of funds and ensure even distribution of resources, especially among the poorest of the poor, while making sure that the middle class is appropriately populated,” Olorunfemi said. (NAN)

Alhaji Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Bishop Mathew Kukah, Founder of the Kukah Centre, have urged Nigerians to work toward building a united nation.

The duo made made the call at the National Integration Conference with the theme: “Revisiting the National Question: Nigeria’s Elusive Search for National Integration”, organised by the Kukah Centre.

The conference, which was held in Abuja on Friday, was organised with support from Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).

Tajudeen, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, said that Nigeria’s pluralism and its vast diversity in ethnicity, language and religion, remain a valuable asset to the nation.

He said that embracing and leveraging its pluralism would propel Nigeria towards a more unified and prosperous future where the collective strengths of its diverse population would be fully harnessed.

“Our diversity should be our strategic advantage, making us more resilient, innovative and cohesive as a nation.

“Our ongoing constitutional amendment process also aims to strengthen these mechanisms, promoting a more inclusive, fair and just society.

“As your representatives, we pledge to continue promoting policies that foster integration, celebrate our diverse heritage and build a stronger and more united Nigeria.

“I challenge us all, as a people, to reject bigotry of any kind and embrace tolerance, empathy, and unity,” he said.

Tajudeen said that by so doing, a Nigeria, where every citizen is valued and empowered, would be built.

“Let us work towards a future united by the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood in one strong, indivisible nation,” he said

Tajudeen spoke further: “Although Nigeria is a diverse country, the central challenge remains in balancing diverse interests in a way that promotes national unity while respecting the identities and rights of all constituent groups.

“The burden of fostering national cohesion and effectively managing diversity rest on leaders across all facets of our society. The challenge is for government, religious organisations, traditional institutions and families.

“Holding government accountable, promoting economic empowerment, inclusive governance and education are important tools in fostering national unity,” he said.

He called for the review of the primary and secondary school curricular to ensure that young Nigerians understood the various cultures and religions in the Nigeria.

Kukah, while stressing the urgent need for nation building, urged all Nigerians to stop the blame game and unite for the good of the country.

“Building our nation is not about apportioning blames. It is about the urgency of national integration.

“National integration doesn’t necessarily mean everybody must be the same. It is for us in Nigeria to understand the intricacies of managing diversity.

“National cohesion is important because without it, it is impossible for us to grow.

“This country is increasingly in recession. So, the urgency of national cohesion is a call that we must make and continue to make,” he said

Kukah said that anybody, who called himself or herself a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, should believe in the Constitution and build Nigeria.

Mr Annup Vyas, Head of Conflict, Stability and Security, FCDO, in a remark, said that as a partner in Nigeria’s democracy, UK is pleased to be supporting efforts to build a stronger and more resilient Nigeria.

Vyas said that integration and the democratic institutions that promote unity usually face many challenges.

He, however, expressed confidence that with the discourse and the important decisions that came from it, the nation had the potential to identify new ways to overcome such barriers .

“Unity, purpose and national cohesion can help unlock Nigeria’s potential and generate inclusive growth for all.

“So, I hope this discussion will pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for all,” he said. (NAN)

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The House of Representatives has said it will ensure the crisis in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State is brought to a logical conclusion.

Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Rep. Babajimi Benson, gave the assurance while addressing newsmen on Thursday, at the Governor’s Office Annexe in Warri.

Benson led other members of the committee to a public hearing on the carnage that occurred in Okuama Community in Delta resulting to the death of 17 soldiers and consequent destruction of properties.

The committee convened on Thursday at the Governor’s Office Annexe in Warri without the presence of the locals in attendance.

It would be recalled that the investigative hearing was in line with the 10th Assembly House of Representatives’ resolution of March 19, 2024.

The resolution was prompted by the March 14 massacre of 17 soldiers in the Okuama Community.

The lawmaker said that the committee had so far received about 23 memorandum from stakeholders.

“We came to see members of the community in camera and by way of memorandum. We have received a lot of memorandum from them but they have not turn up physically.

“We have gotten enough memorandum and we intend to work with the memorandum. Though, the window is opened till Friday next week, so we are still expecting more from them.

“We have assured everyone including the Delta State that the House of Representatives will ensure the matter is looked into from both sides and come to a logical conclusion.

“That is why we are asking them to send memoranda and they are complying. We gave them a week and the period will elapse on Friday.

“If you do not want to show up, please send us your documents so that we will be able to act on them, and get to a logical conclusion,” Benson appealed.

The legislator said that the committee was fully ready to ensure that justice was done on the matter.

On why the committee could not visit the troubled Okuama Community, the lawmaker said that the activities of the committee regarding the crisis had not ended.

According to him, the committee will visit the locals and also invite the military to give account of what happened at the community.

“We are definitely going to meet the locals but we are going to arm ourselves with information,” he said.

Among the 10-man committee was Rep. Francis Waive, member representing Ughelli North/Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency.