Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has blasted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for announcing his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at a time the nation is mourning ex-president Muhammadu Buhari.

Keyamo made this known in a statement on his X account on Wednesday.

His comment comes as Atiku Abubakar, who was the PDP presidential candidate at the 2023 election, officially dumped the opposition party on Wednesday.

Keyamo added that it is morally and legally wrong for Atiku to continue to use the Coat of Arms of the Federal Government in his private or political communications when he is no longer a functionary of the Federal Government.

“Your Excellency, @atiku, whilst I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political parties at any time you may wish, however, releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of the mourning of our immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, is clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it on yourself. In fact (as the image below shows), you prepared, typed, signed, and delivered that letter the morning after the passing away of the former president was announced. With the greatest respect to you, this clearly demonstrates that your obsession with your perennial presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy.

“And since we are on the issue of your letter, it is both morally and legally wrong to continue to use the Coat of Arms of the Federal Government in your private or political communications when you stopped being a functionary of the Federal Government more than 18 years ago. Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, makes this an offence.

“Morally, it is also reprehensible to use a symbol suggesting that you are acting on behalf of the authority that symbol represents. It borders on impersonation. Imagine a situation where all former government functionaries continue to use the Coat of Arms of Nigeria in their personal, political, or private communications. There would certainly be confusion everywhere.

“I have a bounden duty both as a Cabinet member and a member of the Inner Bar to protect our laws and constitution. Please, be well guided,” he wrote on X.

The Ogun Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, has described the First Lady of the state, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, as a worthy symbol of selfless service and one dedicated to aiding women’s empowerment and child protection across the state.

Adeleye stated that Mrs Abiodun has consistently advocated for policies, initiatives, and programs that provided voice to the voiceless and campaigned for women’s rights.

She disclosed this on Wednesday, during a special birthday celebration held in commemoration of the First Lady’s birthday held at the Juvenile Correctional Centre, Asero, Abeokuta.

The Commissioner maintained that the First Lady’s decision to celebrate with the special children was a reflection of her value as a person who has a firm belief in the lowest strata of the society.
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Her words, ‎”Your Excellency, your life transcends ceremonial titles, embodying quiet strength, dignity, and boundless compassion.

“ Through the transformative work of the Ajose Foundation and the consistent collaboration with our Ministry, you have redefined advocacy, not as a mere slogan, but as a daily commitment to touching lives, restoring hope, and nurturing communities.

“ Whether empowering women, educating the girl-child, or championing wellness, your impact is felt in real time, in real spaces, by real people”.
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‎In their respective goodwill messages, the Deputy Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Ajayi Bolanle, Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Dawodu, her counterpart in the ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Lawal Olanbiwoninu, Permanent Secretary, Hospital Management Board, Dr. Olayinka Elemide, amongst others, eulogized the first lady for being supportive to the various policies of the present administration, especially in women and child empowerment likewise protection.
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‎They commended her for always giving increasing priority to issues that concerned people and children with special needs, admonishing the children to dream big as the present administration would keep providing safe environment for them.
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‎In her remarks, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, appreciated the dignitaries for the wishes and lauded the complementary efforts of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development at celebrating the values she stands for.
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‎She reassured of her commitment to evolving and supporting policies that would give stronger voice to the children and women.
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‎The highlight of the event was the donation of food items and prizes to the Juvenile Correctional Centre by the celebrant.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will not have any setback for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that Atiku on Wednesday, resigned his membership of the PDP in Adamawa State.

Makinde, who was the keynote Speaker at a Colloquium of the 10th Coronation Anniversary of Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Deji of Akure, stated this in an interview with newsmen.

“I don’t think that will make any dent on PDP as a party. PDP is an institution and you have freedom of entrance and exit,” he said.

The governor said he did not see the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as a threat to PDP but as a mere political party intended to contest in elections as PDP.

Earlier, Makinde described traditional institution as a heritage of the country, asking for government to give it due reverence for nation development.

The title of the lecture was: “The Role of Nigeria’s Traditional Institutions in Nation Building: Impediments, Impacts, and Prospects.”

He said that traditional institutions are not relics of the past but enduring pillars of identity, legitimacy, and communal cohesion.

“Long before Nigeria’s formal administrative systems took root, traditional rulers dispensed justice, upheld values, coordinated local security, and kept communities united.

“Today, they remain custodians of grassroots trust. And nation-building that ignores them does so at its peril.

“No wonder politicians continue to seek their blessings and validation,” he said.

According to him, strengthening traditional institutions is not simply about cultural preservation but it is strategic governance.

He stated that his government had made deliberate steps to integrate traditional institution into the governance architecture, which resulted into great success in Oyo State.

The governor stated that nation-building was not about how much oil the country produced but about the strength of institutions, their ability to serve the people justly, and the legacy they leave behind.

Appreciating the governor, Oba Aladelusi said that traditional institution had pivotal role to play in nation building hence the need for the country’s constitution to strengthen it.

The traditional ruler, who said that Akure is one without any division, commended the state government, sons and daughters of the town for their support to the Deji palace.