By Eric Elezuo

Veteran journalist, Chief Dele Momodu has said that someone should rescue Joe Igbokwe from servitude.

Dele Momodu was reacting to the statement that was made by Joe Igbokwe, where he derided him for studying Yoruba in the university,  and advising President Bola Tinubu on economic matters.

In the post, which he shared on his official X handle on Wednesday, he said someone should rescue Joe Igbokwe from servitude via a question “Is there no one who can rescue this old man from SERVITUDE? Such a PITY,” the response says.

Recall that a few days ago, Dele Momodu had written an open letter to Tinubu, urging him to curtain his excess waste of resources through unnecessary spending, and invest in the youths.

President Bola Tinubu has said that he does not see any need for a planned protest, scheduled to hold between August 1 and 10, 2024 across the federation while urging the youths to exercise patience as he is already addressing the issues raised, assuring that government will promptly react to all their grievances.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the revelation while briefing newsmen after a routine meeting with the president at the State House, Abuja.

He said: “Mr President has asked me to again inform Nigerians that he listens to them, especially the young people that are trying to protest.

“Mr President listens to them; he takes what they say seriously and he is working assiduously to ensure that this country is good not just for today but also for the future.

“On the issue of the planned protest, Mr President does not see any need for that; he asked them to shelve that plan and he has asked them to await government’s response to all their pleas; he has listened to them like I said.”

The minister further disclosed that intervention measures had been taken by the Bola Tinubu administration including the new minimum wage of N70,000 already passed by the National Assembly, trucks of rice already dispatched to all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as the Student Loans Fund launched recently by the president.

His words: “A lot is happening, only today, the National Assembly has expeditiously passed the bill on national minimum wage; you can see how the president is working. It was transmitted only yesterday, today, it has been passed.

“A lot of other interventions that the president has also put in place are also going to be looked at expeditiously in the interest of Nigerians. So there is no need for strike. The young people out there should listen to the president and allow the president more time to see to the realization of all the goodies he has for them.

“Highlights of other policies to cushion the effect of hardship Nigerians are feeling are in town. For example, you saw that the Federal Government approved grains and rice for state governments, it was delivered to them expeditiously.

“Also, the Federal Government, like I said that time it is just the necessary first step. Government is going to continue in that direction, supporting them and assuring them that whatever intervention the Federal Government has put in place go to those that should benefit, it is very important that is being put out.

“You heard about the Student Loans Board launched by Mr President. Mr President is very passionate about the fact that everyone will have the opportunity to go to school. It is no longer a time for all of us to stay back and see our able bodied young men and women that have passed the examinations to go to tertiary institutions that have not been able to do that because their parents are not able to pay for their fees. This is now a thing of the past, government is very very desirous to ensure that happens.

“You know the provision that was made to the NELFUND already; we have in excess what is required today and the more that people are requiring that the more the president will also give.”

Idris also disclosed that government will soon come up with a scheme that will accommodate all unemployed graduates nationwide, while stressing the fact that President Tinubu was committed to running an inclusive government.

According to him, “There is also the intervention the president is making for young men and women who have finished school and who are yet to get employed post NYSC. For example, there is a scheme the government is perfecting now and that will be pushed very fast so that all those young men and women who have finished school, graduates of universities and polytechnics that are not able to get jobs, they will continue to be supported by the government until such a time that those jobs are offered to them.

“The whole idea is that no one is left behind. It is an all inclusive government and the president is determined to ensure that no one is left behind in this attempt to march Nigeria towards progress.”

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has initiated legal action against the Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, wigh his legal team demanding a retraction and N5 billion in damages for a defamatory publication that they claim has significantly harmed Obi’s reputation.

The controversy began with a statement published by Onanuga on his verified “X” (formerly Twitter) handle, “@aonanuga1956,” on 20th July 2024. The post alleged that “Peter Obi’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria” and held Obi responsible for potential anarchy. This claim was further disseminated across various social media platforms and major Nigerian news outlets.

In a strongly-worded letter addressed to Onanuga, Obi’s legal counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN, refuted the allegations, describing them as “false and malicious.” The letter stated: “Our Client denies the entirety of the falsehood contained in the said publication and insists that there is no modicum of truth in the allegations preferred against him in your published statement.”

Obi’s lawyers argued that the publication was not only defamatory but also intended to damage Obi’s reputation and standing.

The legal team also highlighted the extensive circulation of the defamatory statement, noting its presence on platforms such as “X,” WhatsApp, and Facebook, as well as various online and print media. This widespread dissemination has allegedly caused significant embarrassment and harm to Obi and his family.

In addition to the demand for N5 billion in damages, Obi’s lawyers warned of imminent legal action if Onanuga fails to comply with their demands. “Take Notice that in the event of your failure to meet the demands set out above, our Client shall be constrained to approach a Court of competent jurisdiction and take legal action against you for defamation and libel,” the letter read.