Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent visit to former Military President Ibrahim Babangida and former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar in Minna, Niger State, has ignited discussions among Nigerians on social media. During his Sallah homage, Atiku shared photos of his visit, which have since garnered varied reactions.

### Reactions from Netizens

#### Calls for Retirement
Some netizens suggested that Atiku should retire from active politics and join the ranks of elder statesmen. Immanuel Agadae commented on X (formerly Twitter), advising Atiku to “take a bow from politics and stay in the same league as the two former heads of state he visited.” He further stated, “This is where you belong. Stakeholders group. Not being active to rule anymore. Just sit, and advise and prepare for heaven.”

#### Political Alliances
Others proposed strategic political moves. A user with the handle @StaunchObidient urged Atiku to form an alliance with Labour Party leader Peter Obi to strengthen his political relevance. He warned, “Form an alliance with Peter Obi now or else, what happened in 2023 will happen again. Do not take any chances if you still want to be relevant in Nigerian politics.”

#### Criticism and Suggestions
There were also critical voices. @musa_kiliya expressed dissatisfaction with the contributions of past leaders, stating, “These people did nothing to promote our dear country rather they did what benefit them only.” Meanwhile, @Aremottunde suggested that Atiku should complete his series of visits by meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying, “Sir, you need to visit the former Head of State and your former Boss- Yoruba Olusegun Obasanjo as well to complete your journey. Otherwise, all these yẹyẹ visits would amount to nothing.”

### Context
Atiku Abubakar, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007, was the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections. His recent visit to prominent former leaders comes at a time when many are reflecting on his political career and future in Nigerian politics.

The mixed reactions underscore the diverse opinions on Atiku’s role and future in the political landscape, with some urging him to retire and others advising strategic partnerships to stay politically relevant.

Despite not experiencing recent cholera cases amid the current outbreak affecting 30 states, Cross River State did record one cholera-related death around March 2024. Dr. Henry Ayuk, the Cross River Commissioner for Health, emphasized that the state has taken proactive measures to counter potential threats.

### Cross River State’s Response

– **Previous Outbreaks**: The state experienced a cholera outbreak in Obubura and Biase local government areas between February and April 2024, resulting in one death.
– **Current Measures**: Dr. Ayuk confirmed that the state has activated an emergency response team to address any cholera threats. This team operates at both the state and local government levels.
– **Preparedness Steps**:
– **Guideline Adoption**: The state has implemented guidelines provided by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
– **Increased Surveillance**: Enhanced surveillance activities are underway to monitor and report cases of diarrhoea, a key cholera symptom.
– **Community Education**: Communities, especially in riverine areas identified as hotspots (Etung, Abi, Obubura, Biase, and part of Yakurr), are being educated on the importance of reporting diarrhoea cases and maintaining hygiene.

### National Cholera Situation

– **Current Outbreak**: According to the NCDC, 1,141 suspected cholera cases, 65 confirmed cases, and 30 deaths have been reported across 96 local government areas in 30 states from January 1 to June 11, 2024.
– **High-Burden States**: Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos account for 90% of the cholera burden in Nigeria.
– **NCDC Recommendations**: The NCDC has advised state governments to prioritize access to safe water, basic sanitation, and proper hygiene practices to mitigate the spread of cholera.

### Conclusion

Cross River State’s proactive measures, guided by NCDC recommendations, aim to prevent and promptly respond to any cholera threats, ensuring the health and safety of its residents. The state’s efforts highlight the importance of vigilance, community education, and comprehensive surveillance in combating cholera.

In Lagos, some female residents have voiced their frustrations regarding the discriminatory practices of landlords who refuse to rent properties to single women and mothers. These women have urged landlords to base rental decisions on creditworthiness and ability to pay rent rather than marital status or gender.

### Challenges Faced by Single Women
– **Titi Ogunseitan**, a single mother, shared her difficulty in securing an apartment in Magodo, highlighting judgmental attitudes from estate agents. Despite numerous attempts, she faced rejections based on flimsy excuses and ultimately had to stay with family friends.
– **Fisayo Kasali**, a self-employed tailor in Ikeja, echoed similar sentiments. She pointed out the prevalent biases against single ladies in the housing sector, which caused significant physical and mental stress during her house search.
– **Busola Lawal**, an insurance company employee in Alapere, struggled for over 11 months to find an apartment due to her single status. Eventually, she had to use a male friend to secure a place on her behalf.
– **Temi Farasimi**, a banker, emphasized that marital status should not determine rental eligibility and called on the Lagos State Government to enact laws protecting women from such discrimination.

### Landlords’ Perspectives
– **Demola Adesesan**, a landlord in Ogudu GRA, stated he does not discriminate based on gender and has female tenants. He emphasized providing a level playing field for all tenants.
– **Abass Oyewole**, another landlord, admitted preferring male tenants due to negative past experiences with female tenants. His experiences led him to avoid renting to women.

### Call for Change
The affected women called for an end to these discriminatory practices, urging landlords to consider their applications fairly. They emphasized the need for systemic change and legal protections to ensure equal treatment in the housing sector.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has identified and removed 1,618 civil service officers with fake employment letters from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) over the past year. This was announced by Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Federation’s Civil Service, during a media briefing in Abuja as part of the 2024 Civil Service Week.

Dr. Yemi-Esan detailed that the verification exercise, conducted by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), reduced the previously inflated federal civil service workforce from over 100,000 to 69,308 verified employees. The exercise also revealed that some civil servants had left the country for better opportunities abroad but returned for the verification process, later tendering their resignations as they could not afford to stay longer in Nigeria.

Dr. Yemi-Esan emphasized that the Civil Service has been collaborating with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tackle corruption within the system. Efforts to enhance the Federal Civil Service include a significant focus on digitization, with a mandate for all MDAs to achieve full digital migration by the end of 2025. She expressed confidence in the ongoing transformation and digitization of work processes, aimed at improving service delivery to Nigerians.

The Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has initiated a three-day training program for 60 engineers, focusing on bridge and road construction. Held at the Public Service Staff Development Centre in Magodo, Lagos, the training is themed “Bridge Building: From Theory to Practice” and aims to enhance practical skills in design, construction, and maintenance of bridges.

Engr. Olufemi Daramola, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Infrastructure, emphasized the significance of this training as part of the state’s commitment to infrastructure development. The program involves experts in construction engineering who will share their insights and cutting-edge techniques to improve the technical skills of the participants. The training includes real-world projects that provide hands-on experience, enabling engineers to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.

Daramola highlighted the foundational work of his predecessor, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, and encouraged participants to actively engage, ask questions, and leverage the expertise of the resource persons. He stressed the importance of punctuality and active participation for the success of the training and its impact on future infrastructure projects in Lagos.

The Permanent Secretary in the Office of Infrastructure, Lateef Somide, urged the participants to take the training seriously and expressed gratitude to the facilitators, including GELD Construction and the Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Training Department. Nabeel Esaw, General Manager of GELD Construction, reiterated the importance of being open to knowledge and stated that the training would equip engineers to handle the complex challenges of bridge building and maintenance in Lagos’ unique terrain.

This initiative is seen as a cornerstone in enhancing the skills of engineers and contributing to the ongoing infrastructure development in Lagos State.

President Bola Tinubu has extended birthday felicitations to his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga. Tinubu lauded Onanuga for his professional excellence and significant contributions to journalism and the media landscape in Nigeria. He highlighted Onanuga’s role in the pro-democracy struggles and his leadership positions, including co-founding The News Magazine and serving as CEO and Editor-in-Chief of PM News. Tinubu also acknowledged Onanuga’s tenure as Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, describing him as a dependable and resourceful adviser. The president wished Onanuga continued good health and strength in his service to the nation.

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa met privately in Johannesburg on June 19 to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation and enhancing economic ties between their countries. The meeting, which took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, followed President Ramaphosa’s second-term inauguration, attended by President Tinubu.

During their discussions, President Tinubu emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to tackle Africa’s challenges and highlighted the importance of robust trade and economic strategies to foster prosperity and unity. President Ramaphosa expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s attendance at his inauguration and welcomed the commitment to mutual respect and cooperation.

President Tinubu shared the meeting’s details on his official X handle, expressing optimism about the future collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa and their potential to lead their nations towards increased prosperity and unity. This engagement underscores the deep relationship between the two countries and their shared dedication to addressing common challenges through strengthened economic ties and cooperative strategies.

Governor Siminalayi (Sim) Fubara of Rivers State has been widely praised for his commitment to democratic principles, particularly in his handling of the local government chairmen’s tenure completion. The National Vanguard for Rule of Law (NVRL) highlighted Governor Fubara’s respect for the people’s will by allowing the elected local government officials to serve their full terms, despite political tensions and provocations.

Comrade Johnson Babatunde, speaking on behalf of the NVRL, emphasized that Governor Fubara’s actions exemplify a profound respect for democracy and the rule of law. By upholding the officials’ tenure, Governor Fubara demonstrated that his leadership prioritizes the welfare and interests of the people over personal or political considerations. This stance has positioned him as a role model for other leaders, contrasting sharply with the actions of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, who removed elected local government officials despite a court order.

Governor Fubara’s approach has garnered acclaim from various quarters, portraying him as a true democrat and a champion of the people’s rights. His adherence to democratic principles and support for the third tier of government have set a commendable standard in Nigerian politics.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, along with governors, past governors, Senators, and other key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the North Central region, are set to convene in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Saturday to address the ongoing crisis within the party.

DAILY POST gathered that prominent figures expected to attend include the governors of Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, and Niger States.

DAILY POST learnt that the core agenda of the meeting is to deliberate on the discontent that has gripped the North Central zone following the reassignment of the APC National Chairman position.

The region, which previously held this key position under the leadership of former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, felt marginalized when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reallocated the chairmanship to Kano State in the North West last year.

The re-zoning decision has sparked considerable unrest within the party ranks, leading to calls for a reevaluation.

A party insider revealed that the stakeholders aim to formulate a unified stance to present to President Tinubu regarding the chairmanship issue.

The governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatai Abdulrazak, is expected to preside over the meeting.

The discontent reached a boiling point recently when APC members protested at the party’s National Secretariat against the leadership of current APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

The demonstrators were subsequently dispersed by Ganduje’s supporters and APC security personnel.

The party sources stated that the outcome of the Lafia meeting will determine the future of the APC in the coming weeks.

“As you know, the President has kept quiet for some time on the crisis in the party.

“He is waiting to get reports from the zones on the state of the party before making decisions. And the North Central would present the resolution of their meeting to him,” a party source said.

The Federal Government has heeded the call from Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu v, who pleaded that the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway should commence simultaneously from both ends of Calabar and Lagos.

The Obong in addressing journalists in his palace last week said it would abridge the project delivery time and the risks of inflation.

He had also called on the government to hire many competent engineers and contractors to handle the project to enable swift completion.

The Minister of works, David Umahi announced yesterday that the construction will start from Calabar and Akwa Ibom ends simultaneously and immediately on section three of the coastal highway.

He also disclosed that section four will commence from Akwa Ibom at the same time, pending the completion of the procurement process.

Umahi spoke during a meeting with representatives from communities along the road’s alignment between Eko Atlantic (Chainage Zero) and Eleko (Chainage 47.4 km) in Lagos.

“Let me announce also that Mr President has directed that section three that is starting from Calabar and section four that is starting from Akwa Ibom should commence immediately; and so, we are in the process of concluding the procurement.

“And for those who have been saying why not start these roads in Calabar, one, the zero point is Lagos and what wrong has Lagos done to these people?

“However, an impartial President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has directed that section three and four be started from the end of the project. So while this is moving, the other one will be moving.

“I’m sure that sections five and six will also start in places like Port Harcourt and Bayelsa,” Umahi said.