Why I congratulated Gowon at 90, Obi replies critics - Newstrends
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Why I congratulated Gowon at 90, Obi replies critics

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Peter Obi
Peter Obi

Why I congratulated Gowon at 90, Obi replies critics

Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP) in 2023 election, Peter Obi, has explained why he felicitated with a former Head of States, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday.

He said this in series of posts on his X handle, despite criticism against him for celebrating the elder statesman.

“My felicitation with Nigeria’s former military Head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary, which was celebrated by a cross-section of Nigerians, has been received with mixed feelings by some Nigerians, and some have expressed their sentiments publicly, and privately to me.

“My felicitation with Nigeria’s former military Head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary, which was celebrated by a cross-section of Nigerians, has been received with mixed feelings by some Nigerians, and some have expressed their sentiments publicly, and privately to me.

He said that he was under 10 years old when the Nigeria/Biafra war started in 1967.

“Most of my supporters across the country joining me get a new Nigeria were born after the war, and I didn’t feel I should drag them back to the dark side of our history by being unforgiving,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor said indisputably, the darkest part of Nigeria’s 64-year journey as a nation is the 30 months of civil war from 1967 to 1970 and God Almighty whose way is not human way must have a reason why he kept the Chief Prosecutor of the war who is General Gowon alive to be 90 years and the man who saw the end of the war, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to be there at 87 years super-heading all the moves to see a reconciled and just Nigeria.

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He said there was also a developing new spirit why the same country, Nigeria, gave the Biafra leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, a heroic national burial on 2 March 2012, when he died, coincidentally under his tenure as governor of Anambra State.

Obi said the status of the burial given to Ojukwu remains the boldest indication to the World that Nigeria as a country is disposed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation.

He said, “There are various ways human beings can respond to acts of evil, especially one that claimed millions of lives.

“One is the tragedy of revenge, and another offers the hope of forgiveness in an attempt to forget. The latter conforms neatly with the template I adopted in greeting Gen. Gowon at 90 years old.

“Whatever reason I will give for joining the rest of Nigerians to greet General Gowon, may never truly conform with some persons, especially direct victims of the war, but anger, hurt, and bitterness are the commonest responses to cruelty.”

He said this fuels sectarianism, leads to resistance and avoidable blood feuds that is being witnessed across the globe, and even in Nigeria and it does not abate.

“It’s hate that has put our society, blessed by God to be the greatest land in the black World, down, but this hate has to stop.

“Must you greet him? Why didn’t you keep quiet?’ some angrily say to me, but that will still be injurious to our journey to a new Nigeria where all political vices, including but not limited to ethnic, religious, bitterness, and regional segregation, are eliminated.

“Various personal experiences of victims of injustice across the globe who have chosen to put ugly things behind them visibly demonstrate the transformative power of forgiveness in healing personal and collective wounds.

“With these explanations, I like to admonish all those angered by my greetings to the elder statesman to bear with me and join me in this mission to create a country where hate, unforgiving spirit, and other vices will give way for justice,” Obi said.

Why I congratulated Gowon at 90, Obi replies critics

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NiMet Predicts Thunderstorms, Rain Across Nigeria Till Wednesday

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NiMet Predicts Thunderstorms, Rain Across Nigeria Till Wednesday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and rainfall across several parts of Nigeria from Monday to Wednesday.

The agency, in its weather outlook released on Sunday, also warned that strong winds could occur ahead of thunderstorms in some areas.

For Monday, NiMet expects thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Taraba and Kebbi during the morning. Later in the day, moderate rainfall is expected across several areas in the North-East, Kaduna, Taraba and Kebbi.

In the North-Central region, parts of Niger State could experience thunderstorms and light rain in the morning, while most parts of the region may record thunderstorms with moderate rainfall by afternoon or evening.

 

The southern states are also expected to experience wet conditions. NiMet forecasts cloudy skies in the morning, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. More thunderstorms and light rain are expected later in the day.

Tuesday and Wednesday Forecast

On Tuesday, the northern region is expected to have patches of cloud in the morning, with thunderstorms and light rain possible in parts of Taraba.

By afternoon or evening, most parts of the region could experience thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain.

In the North-Central, parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau states are expected to receive thunderstorms and moderate rainfall later in the day.

Southern areas, including parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and the South-South, may also experience thunderstorms and light rain.

NiMet expects more widespread rainfall on Wednesday, particularly across northern and North-Central states. Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba are among the areas listed for morning thunderstorms and moderate rain.

The agency also forecasts thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across much of the South later on Wednesday.

NiMet advised residents to secure loose objects and take precautions against strong winds. Motorists were urged to avoid driving during heavy rainfall, while residents were advised to disconnect electrical appliances during thunderstorms and stay away from tall trees.

Airline operators were also advised to obtain airport-specific weather information when planning flights.

NiMet Predicts Thunderstorms, Rain Across Nigeria Till Wednesday

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Working People United Celebrates Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Commends Her Humanitarian Efforts

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Working People United Celebrates Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Commends Her Humanitarian Efforts
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu

Working People United Celebrates Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Commends Her Humanitarian Efforts

Civic organisation Working People United has congratulated Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on her 66th birthday, praising her contributions to humanitarian services, education, healthcare and the empowerment of vulnerable Nigerians.

Oluremi Tinubu celebrates her 66th birthday on Monday, September 21, 2026, with messages of goodwill coming from individuals and organisations across the country.

In a congratulatory message issued on Sunday, National Coordinator-General of Working People United, Prince Williams Akporeha, described the First Lady’s years of public service as an important part of her contribution to Nigerian society.

Akporeha said the organisation recognised Oluremi Tinubu’s continued involvement in programmes designed to improve the welfare of children, women, young people and underserved communities.

He particularly highlighted her advocacy and interventions in education, healthcare access, youth development and economic empowerment, saying such initiatives were directed at addressing challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians.

According to the group, the First Lady’s humanitarian activities have focused on providing practical support to communities and creating opportunities for people who might otherwise have limited access to social and economic resources.

Working People United also commended Oluremi Tinubu’s interest in family welfare and children’s development, describing those areas as important to the long-term development of the country.

The organisation said efforts to strengthen access to basic education and healthcare, particularly at the grassroots, remained critical to improving the quality of life of Nigerians.

It also praised initiatives aimed at providing young people with skills and economic opportunities, noting that youth empowerment could help reduce vulnerability and expand participation in the economy.

Akporeha urged the First Lady to sustain her advocacy for vulnerable Nigerians as she begins another year of her life.

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He said the organisation was joining Nigerians across the country to celebrate Oluremi Tinubu and acknowledge what it described as her commitment to humanitarian service.

Working People United wished the First Lady good health, wisdom, strength and fulfilment as she continues her public responsibilities and supports initiatives focused on the welfare of Nigerians.

The group also expressed hope that her birthday would provide an opportunity to renew attention to issues affecting children, women, young people and low-income families, particularly in education, healthcare and economic empowerment.

Oluremi Tinubu, a former senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, has been involved in public service and humanitarian activities for several years.

As First Lady, she has continued her intervention programmes through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which has focused on areas including education, health, agriculture, social investment and economic empowerment.

Her recent programmes have included support for women, vulnerable households, students, farmers, young people and families affected by economic hardship.

The birthday messages therefore come as the First Lady continues her public engagements and humanitarian programmes across different parts of Nigeria.

Working People United Celebrates Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Commends Her Humanitarian Efforts

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18 Suspects Transferred to US Over 2021 Killing of Haitian President Moïse

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18 Suspects Transferred to US Over 2021 Killing of Haitian President Moïse
18 Suspects Transferred to US Over 2021 Killing of Haitian President Moïse

Eighteen suspects accused of involvement in the 2021 assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moise have been transferred from Haiti to the United States to face trial.

US officials said the suspects were transported to Florida on Sunday, as American authorities continue their prosecution of people allegedly connected to the plot.

Federal prosecutor Jason Reding Quinones said the suspects were flown from Haiti on a military aircraft to face proceedings in the Southern District of Florida.

He said US authorities had so far indicted 30 people in connection with the assassination and warned that the prosecutions were not over.

Among those transferred was Joseph Felix Badio, a former anti-corruption official with Haiti’s Ministry of Justice who has been identified as a major suspect in the investigation.

Haitian government and police sources said the other suspects included Colombian nationals who were allegedly part of the group involved in the operation.

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Colombian Nationals Among Suspects

Colombia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that 17 of its citizens had been transferred from Haiti to the United States.

The ministry said the Colombian government was monitoring the development but had not participated in the decision or process that led to the transfer.

Moise was killed at his private residence in Port-au-Prince on July 7, 2021. Investigators said a group of about 20 Colombian military-trained mercenaries had been hired in connection with the operation.

The president’s security detail came under scrutiny after failing to prevent the attack.

In May, four men were convicted in a Miami federal court over charges connected to the plot, including conspiracy to kill or kidnap Moise and providing material support for the operation. They could face life imprisonment.

US prosecutors said the men were linked to CTU Security, a Florida-based private security company, and had allegedly been attracted by the prospect of lucrative contracts after Moise was removed from power.

The assassination plunged Haiti further into political and security turmoil. The country has since struggled with gang violence and remains without a president, while preparations continue for elections scheduled for December, subject to security conditions.

18 Suspects Transferred to US Over 2021 Killing of Haitian President Moïse

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