Author: GANUX

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has clarified his congratulatory message to the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, after facing backlash on social media.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that Obi had, in his goodwill message on Saturday, referred to the monarch as “my dear elder brother,” a phrase many saw as disrespectful to Yoruba traditional institutions.

The former Anambra governor’s choice of words drew criticism from several quarters, which was described as a breach of cultural protocol.

Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, faulted Obi’s address, saying it demonstrated “lack of cultural sensitivity and diplomatic polish.”

He argued that royal fathers should be accorded full respect in both private and public communications.

Similarly, media aide to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Lere Olayinka, described Obi’s expression as evidence of “cultural ignorance and political arrogance,” noting that beyond protocol, the Olubadan was far older than Obi and deserved to be addressed with the full weight of his traditional authority.

The backlash sparked debates on social media, with many Nigerians weighing in on whether Obi’s style of informal endearment was appropriate when addressing a revered monarch.

However, responding in a post via his official X handle on Sunday, Obi clarified that his words were never intended to slight the throne, stressing that his message was borne out of goodwill.

“Certainly, no disrespect intended in my goodwill message to His Royal Majesty. I felicitated with my dear elder brother, the newly crowned, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.”

He explained that he often uses the expression “my dear elder brother” to address individuals close to him and for whom he has tremendous respect, citing his frequent affectionate references to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, in similar terms.

“I have read the concerns of those aggrieved by what they considered improper addressing. I respect protocol and authority, and I try, as much as possible, to adhere to them. However, those who follow me would have noticed that I often prefer to use the expression ‘my dear elder brother’ when addressing individuals especially close to me,” he noted.

“In matters of wrongdoing, motive is important. I assure all that my words were borne out of untrammelled goodwill,” Obi added.

Obi’s clarification comes as part of the growing national attention around the coronation of Oba Ladoja as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, which has drawn congratulatory messages from leaders across political and cultural spheres.

Voters in Switzerland will head to the polls on Sunday to decide whether to introduce a nationwide system of electronic identity cards.

This marks the second national referendum on the issue, following a 2021 rejection driven by concerns over data privacy and discomfort with the proposed system being managed largely by private companies.

According to the BBC, under the revised proposal, the new system would remain entirely optional and in public hands, with the data on the electronic IDs stored on users’ smartphones rather than centrally.

It comes as the UK government this week announced plans to introduce its own digital ID as part of efforts to curb the number of illegal migrants living and working in the country.

The proposed British digital ID would have fewer intended uses, but it has still raised concerns about privacy and data security.

Switzerland’s plan has already been approved by both its houses of Parliament, and the Swiss government recommends a “yes” vote.

Citizens can still choose to rely on a physical national identity card, which has been standard in Switzerland for decades.

To ease privacy concerns, a particular authority seeking information on a person – such as proof of age or nationality, for example – will only be able to check for those specific details.

Supporters say the system will make life much easier for everyone, allowing a range of bureaucratic procedures – from getting a telephone contract to proving you’re old enough to buy a bottle of wine – to happen quickly online.

But Switzerland has a long tradition of protecting its citizens’ privacy. The banking secrecy laws, now much diluted, were designed to shield an individual’s personal finances from the prying eyes of the state.

For years, Google Street View was controversial in Switzerland – and even today, following a ruling by the Swiss Federal Court, images taken close to schools, women’s refuges, hospitals, or prisons must be automatically blurred before going online.

There are also far fewer CCTV cameras in Switzerland than in many of its European neighbours.

Opponents of digital ID cards, who gathered enough signatures to force another referendum on the issue, argue that this measure could still undermine individual privacy.

They also fear that, despite the new restrictions on how data is collected and stored, it could still be used to track people and for marketing purposes.

The latest opinion polls, however, show that this time, voters may be ready to give electronic IDs a chance.

They have already had experience with the government’s COVID ID, which was used during the pandemic to show vaccination status and was mandatory to enter restaurants and bars.

Initial scepticism turned to satisfaction when people realised it allowed them, finally, to get out and about again.

As for the concerns about marketing of personal data, most Swiss have smartphones and are keen users of social media.

The Nasarawa State Government has issued a stern warning to the management of the abattoir in the Akwanga Local Government Area of the state, threatening to shut it down if the facility’s poor sanitation conditions are not improved within a space of one month.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margaret Elayo, gave the warning on Saturday while briefing journalists shortly after the September sanitation exercise in Akwanga.

The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hussaini Babayayi, noted that the abattoir’s unhygienic practices pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of residents.

She explained that the team from the ministry had inspected the facility during the monthly sanitation exercise and discovered the poor state of the abattoir.

Elayo, therefore, emphasised the need for strict adherence to sanitation laws, assuring that the ministry would closely monitor the abattoir’s activities from now to the end of October to ensure cleanliness and compliance with the sanitation guidelines of the state.

She added, “Most of our brothers and sisters staying here in Akwanga are getting their meat from this abattoir, but the place is not hygienic. It could affect our people’s health.

“The government would do something immediately to ensure the safety of our citizens in Akwanga because the place is not proper for slaughtering animals.

“However, if we do not see any changes from the managers of the abattoir, and nothing changes between now and next month, I assure you that the abattoir will be shut down.”

On the September sanitation exercise, the commissioner expressed dissatisfaction with the level of compliance by the residents of Akwanga and appealed for more cooperation to keep the state clean.

She further lamented that many commercial motorcyclists and vehicle owners continued their usual activities during the sanitation hours, warning that stricter measures would be taken against them in subsequent months if they failed to comply.

Responding, the Deputy Chairman of Akwanga LGA, Basau Ibrahim-Shaibu, admitted that the level of compliance was poor in the towns because the local government had shifted its attention to the rural communities.

On the state of the abattoir, the Deputy Chairman said that the state government had already begun the construction of a modern abattoir on the outskirts of Akwanga.

He, however, promised that the local government would take immediate action to ensure that the abattoir is kept clean, adding that strict adherence to the state’s sanitation laws to guard against the spread of diseases would henceforth be observed.

It can be recalled that on August 30, PUNCH Online reported that the Nasarawa State Government warned that it would shut down the Lafia Modern Abattoir following the facility’s poor sanitary conditions. Elayo expressed disappointment over the unhygienic state of the abattoir and cautioned that the government would no longer tolerate such practices.