By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has said that although luxury is good, Burna Boy, Davido, Asake and other wealthy Nigerians should help the less-privileged.

She said “the burden on the government is huge”, so the rich should help.

Also, Mrs Tinubu reiterated her call for Nigerians to consider small businesses such as akara.

She made the calls in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Saturday, where she launched the national community food bank.

“Nigeria is a great country. We have a lot of wealthy people. But our priorities are different. And I think it’s high time we started helping those who need help in the country.

“I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry.

“I’ve mentioned it before, and I will use Akon, a music icon who does a lot of great charity work.

“The Burna Boys of this world, Asake, all of them, Davido. We want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money.

“Good cars are good; a Maybach is good. Rolls-Royce is good, but still you can still help. The burden on the government is huge.

“You can still help.

“There are pepper sellers. There are vegetable sellers. There are okra sellers, melon sellers, akara, kulikuli. Akara is delicious; I can tell you that,” she added.

The first lady also urged Nigerians not to look down on legitimate means of eking out a living.

“And I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job. And he said he sells akara because he couldn’t get a job, and he’s in Abuja.

“We approached him, but I didn’t put my name to it. We equipped him more. He now has 12 workers under him, and he’s doing very, very well.

“So our people should never despise jobs,” she said.

Speaking on empowerment programmes in Kogi, Tinubu announced the donation of ₦100,000 to empower another 2,000 petty traders in the state.

She also commended the beneficiaries for their efforts.

“Today in that same spirit, the Renewed Hope Initiative has donated ₦100 million to the First Lady of Kogi State and RHI coordinator to empower another 2,000 petty traders in Kogi State with the sum of ₦50,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses.

“And I’m glad that the women who are beneficiaries, they got the idea because I saw them bringing their tray of different food items, very small items, to welcome me today.

“And I think the message is quite received, no matter how people want to turn it around,” Mrs. Tinubu added.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has dismissed a challenge by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to a public debate on governance, saying the minister must first become a presidential candidate before seeking such an engagement.

Mr Obi made the remark during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, while responding to comments by Mr Umahi, who had downplayed his political relevance and declared that he posed no threat to President Bola Tinubu.

The minister had also challenged the former Anambra State governor to a debate, claiming he possessed stronger credentials on governance.

Responding, Mr Obi said presidential debates are traditionally meant for candidates contesting the presidency, not government appointees.

“If he is inviting me to a debate as a presidential candidate, then he has to become a presidential candidate first,” Obi said.

Drawing an analogy with international football, the former Labour Party presidential candidate said participation in presidential debates should follow a qualification process.

“The World Cup is going on now. You cannot stay outside and invite a team that qualified for the World Cup to come and play against you simply because you think you are good. No. There is a qualification process,” he said.

The exchange is the latest in the growing war of words between key political figures as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.

By Blessing Chinwendu Ekwem

The Emir Of Kano Muhammad Sunusi II has pledged to continue to embark on mass campaign against the menace of sickle cell disease in Kano.

Kano religious leaders also gave their commitment to the fight against the disease, during the one day advocacy seminar organized to mark the 2026 World Sickle Cell day , held on June 18, 2026, at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano.

Our correspondent reports that , the seminar with the theme, Faith Based Advocacy for Sickle Cell Prevention and Genotype Awareness in Kano State featured Muslim and Christian clerics drawn from various denominations.

The religious leaders dissect the role of faith based institutions in combating sickle cell disease (SCD) through awareness, premarital counselling, and genotype screening.

The chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kano branch, represented by Reverend Bitrus Nuhu, said that sickle cell disease was a serious inherited blood disorder caused by a mutation in the HBB gene, leading to abnormal, sickle shaped red blood cells that obstruct blood flow and cause severe health complications.

According to him, the disease is a significant challenge and burden to families, communities, and the nation at large.

He emphasized the need for intending couples to engage in medical tests to determine their status before getting married.

He further advocate for the provision of adequate care for individuals living with the condition through the provision of subsidised treatment, saying that it is key to mobilize partnerships with various health organisations and outreach programmes.

In his remarks , the chairman, Council of Ulama, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalid, lamented that sickle cell disease is a major challenge with burdening financial implications.

He called for the need to impose mandatory certification of intended couples to determine their HIV status, genotype, hepatitis status, and other relevant health screenings prior to marriage.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, National Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Dr. Annette Akinsete disclosed that sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders affecting haemoglobin, the major protein responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells.

Akinsete further explained that under normal conditions, red blood cells are disc-shaped and flexible, enabling them to move easily through blood vessels.

“sickle shaped due to a gene mutation affecting the haemoglobin molecule. Akinsete stated.

She hinted that Nigeria bears the highest burden of sickle cell disease worldwide, through the trauma and emotional toll it places on affected families.

She added that the illness constitutes a significant burden, causing damage, straining marriages, and increasing financial demands on households.

Dr. Akinsete revealed that sickle cell disease can be tackled through sustained awareness campaigns and by ensuring that every prospective couple undergoes genotype testing before marriage.

She urged religious leaders to mandate testing as a prerequisite for solemnising marriages in churches and mosques.

The Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammad Sunusi declared his uwaivering support to programmes that will enhance the health benefits of the people of Kano ad humanity at large.

The royal father , represented by High Chief Lamido Abubakar Bayero, described the Emir as a leader who consistently encourages progress for the betterment of humanity.

He disclosed that the Emirate has engaged district leaders on the importance of proper data collection, including the number of deliveries and pregnant women within their respective areas, as part of broader health monitoring efforts.