Thousands of residents and party supporters, on Wednesday, trooped into the streets of the three federal constituencies in Ogun Central Senatorial District as the Peoples’ Democratic Party officially flagged off its campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

In Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, where the flag-off began at Agbado Station, residents waved excitedly from the streets and balconies of adjoining buildings to welcome the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Ladi Adebutu; his running mate, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo; the party’s senatorial candidate, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo; and other leaders of the opposition party.

In Abeokuta North Federal Constituency, where Dele Olaleye is the House of Representatives candidate, the campaign train was also greeted by a massive crowd that had waited from as early as 10am to receive the PDP team at NTA Junction, Totoro.

Residents and party supporters trooped out to welcome the team, chanting solidarity songs as the senatorial and governorship candidates assured them of purposeful representation at the senatorial and federal constituency levels.

It was equally a standstill in Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, where Toyin Amuzu is the House of Representatives candidate for the party. Thousands of supporters trooped out to receive the campaign train and followed the convoy to Ake Pavilion, where the Ogun Central flag-off rally was held.

Speaking during the flag-off rally at Ake Palace, the party’s governorship candidate urged supporters and residents to vote for a tested and trusted candidate in Senator Obasanjo, saying her track record while she represented the district had not been matched.

Adebutu said Ogun Central must bid farewell to non-performance and vote for liberation. He urged residents and party supporters to come out en masse to vote for the PDP in 2027, stand by their votes and resist intimidation.

Adebutu stated that with the PDP, the best times would be restored in the country.

He said: “I want to remind you that the best times of Nigeria have largely emerged under the leadership of our great party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), exemplified by what Baba Obasanjo did as a cornerstone for his successors. Happy days are coming again, very, very soon. In January, a new dawn will break for the betterment of our people.

“I therefore urge you all to make up your mind to reject this oppressive APC government with your vote. You must chart a better tomorrow for yourself and your children. You must all turn out in your large numbers to vote for the PDP in the coming 2027 elections.

“Be ready to stand by your votes, resist intimidation and use the power of the ballot to say enough is enough to misgovernance and maladministration.”

On her part, Obasanjo said she was glad that everywhere she went, people pointed to the work she did when she represented the district from 2007 to 2011 and served as Commissioner for Health from 2003 to 2007.

The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo promised to do more to ensure that the people benefited from the dividends of democracy.

Obasanjo also called on residents of the state to support the PDP’s return to power and make life more comfortable and rewarding for everyone in the State.

Residents and supporters who took turns to speak pledged their loyalty to the PDP candidates and assured them of their votes in January.

Niger State under the leadership of His Excellency the Farmer Governor, Muhammadu Umaru Bago will today launch its Climate Change Policy Document and Action Plan (CCP&AP).

The CCP&AP with support from the Africa Climate Foundation (ACF), technical assistance from the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) and LQY SPV Ltd represents the progressing impact of the Farmer Governors launch of the states blue print for a green economy in 2023. The policy document represents the states efforts to deepen the nations commitment to the goals of the Paris agreement.

On the platform of NDC 3.0 and the blueprint the CCP&AP was developed and will be the launched. This launch will be used to actualize the states’ CIDP, a platform to nurture the implementation of the CCP&AP. The CIDP will work with key line ministries such as the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change, the Ministry of Budget and Planning and the Ministry of Finance as well as key sectoral Ministries such as Agriculture and Energy to develop a pipeline of projects that will have climate benefits and be bankable. The CIDP is part of a three state initiative to develop bankable climate projects at state level. The other participating states are Enugu and Delta States.

Participants at the workshop, post the launch, will break into three technical working groups – Financial Management and Climate Investment, Climate Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energy and the state electricity act. The CCP&AP is the latest in the states efforts from a policy and regulatory level to expand the platform for mobilization of climate resources to the state. Projects identified will be subjected to tests for bankability as well as relevance to policy and be presented at a workshop in the first quarter of 2027 to be attended by bilateral investors, multilateral investors, non state actors as well as domestic development banks. The workshop will be used to obtain commitments for funding to enable implementation.

By Henry Ukazu

Dear Destiny Friends,

We are all stars, but sometimes we act like the moon and sun. Don’t get me wrong, the moon and sun are all God’s creatures, but in this context, I’m referring to the star as it relates to being a standard, an exceptional being and a leader that will set the pace for others to follow.

Being a star gives you an identity and opportunity to showcase the world what you are made of. Your star will shine when you are working on purpose. At creation, we were all created with a unique purpose which will be manifested on earth. So, it’s fair to say our purpose was made in heaven, but our assignment is on earth.

It’s instructive to note that our start is the embodiment of what makes us to be identifiable, recognizable and traceable.  When our star is shining, the world stands still and observes. Isn’t it true that the world sets apart for the man who knows where he’s going.

Everyone loves a star. Imagine being the best in your class, team, or even in the family, you will be the envy of everyone. Stars attract jealousy.  To understand how a star works, imagine playing soccer, despite each team having captains and star players, it’s whoever that has the ball the attention of the players, spectators and the world will be focused on because at that moment, whoever has the ball is the star, hence the reason why the person is being tackled.

Stars attract favor, blessings, opportunities, and blessings just because they are fulfilling their purpose of manifestation. As a self-discovery coach, I propounded the concept of STAR. S stands for shining, T represents Target, the A represents Action and R represents Recognition.

A brief analysis of the concept of STAR will give a proper perspective. When one is a star, one will be a shining star, and when one is a shining star, they’ll definitely be a target because the sugar will always attract ants. Because one is a star, they’ll be action oriented. A star can’t be hidden. It is the work they do that makes them noticeable which ultimately gives them recognition.

If I may ask you, are you a star? If yes, what makes you a star? Stars are a unique set of people who excel more than their counterparts or contemporaries. Stars defy human logic and understanding, especially when there is a spiritual element attached to it. While humans go to school to acquire knowledge and information, stars have inherent and intuitive knowledge which is revealed to them from God.

A little insight into the inherent and intuitive knowledge of how stars work. One’s profession is what one is trained to do in school or even taught in practice, one’s vocation is what one is paid to do like skilled work or a regular 9-5 work, while one’s ministry is where one’s talent/gift manifests their God given potential. When one is a star, both their profession, vocation and ministry will be working in alignment. They won’t have to do much to excel. Their light will gradually shine effortlessly with little or no support. A little effort by them will magnify their work.

It’s unfortunate that many stars can’t shine because many people are afraid of stepping out of their comfort zone. Some of us are afraid of what the world will say, how their message will be received, and how one can overcome these challenges if their star is not shining as it ought to. This is one of the major challenges why most people fail to activate their star. Trust me, I get it. The fears and concerns are valid. As humans we are bound to have fears, however, our desire for success should outweigh our fear for failure.

Do you know that the grave is considered the richest place on planet earth? Yes, because many talents are buried inside the grave simply because some people failed to unleash their talents, gifts and God given potentials. Here is what I will say, may we not die with what God has given to us.

Do you want to be a star? If yes, ask yourself, what makes you unique? If you discover it, say to yourself, I am a star, I am blessed. I am a child of destiny. I will fulfill my purpose. I will not die with what God has given to me. I will shine and I will possess my possession because I am a star.

Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny- Actualizing Your Birthright to Success, Unleash Your Destiny and The Six Pillars of Success . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com