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As Nigeria marked its 65th Independence Anniversary on Tuesday, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political and Other Matters, called on citizens to embrace unity and faith in the nation’s future.

In a statement, Masari expressed ‘unalloyed joy’ over how far Nigeria has come despite its diversity and challenges. He invoked the symbolism of the ‘broom principle’ to stress the importance of togetherness. ‘A strand of broom is easily broken but a bunch of broom is hardly broken. The important thing is that we are better and stronger together,’ he said, urging Nigerians to contribute positively towards the dreams of the nation’s founding fathers.

Masari praised President Tinubu’s leadership, describing the Renewed Hope Agenda as transformative. ‘Our faith in a collective Nigeria where everyone’s future is assured should remain unshaken, moreso as the leadership of the country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown strong capacity and commitment to returning the country to a path of progress with the Renewed Hope Agenda that is working beyond belief,’ he said.

He pointed to what he described as more inclusive governance, with development projects and appointments spread across political zones. ‘This is a time that all Nigerians are being carried along. so the spirit of divisiveness should die a natural death,’ Masari declared.

Highlighting improvements in education, security, infrastructure, health, finance, and the economy, Masari asserted that Tinubu’s administration had ‘brought back the coaches of our national derailment back on track.’ He encouraged citizens to rally behind government efforts to accelerate growth and catch up with developed nations.

Warning against political distractions, Masari urged Nigerians to remain steadfast. ‘Every scheme to draw us back by any political consideration should not only be thwarted but resisted,’ he said, before assuring that better days lie ahead.

‘Happy Independence Anniversary to all Nigerians,’ he concluded.

In its ongoing efforts at addressing insecurity in parts of Kwara state, especially, in border towns of Kwara and Kogi states, the Kwara state government on Wednesday urged residents of the state, especially people around Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Oke Ero, and Irepodun local government areas, to be vigilant and restrict outdoor activities as much as possible in the mean time.

Recall that on Monday night, combined forces of the Army, DSS and Police launched an offensive around Baba Sango community in the Ifelodun local government area, along the Kwara-Kogi border, neutralising about 15 armed bandits.

The same operation continued on Tuesday night, according to Governor Abduleahman Abdulrazaq.

In a statement by the state Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, she said that the advisory followed heightened operations by combined security forces in border towns in Kogi and Kwara states, where kidnappers are believed to have hibernated.

‘We urge people to be very vigilant and limit their movements to only very necessary routines. That is to avoid being caught unawares as the kidnappers are fleeing their hideouts. We do not want law-abiding citizens to be affected,’ the statement said.

She said the government regrets the temporary inconveniences the limited movement may cause in the nearby areas.

‘We commend the security forces for the renewed efforts to rout out the criminals, and charge them to continue until they are totally neutralised and flushed out of our forests’, she said.

It is recalled that some communities in the Kwara South district of Kwara state like Oke Ode, Babanla, among others had been attacked by bandits, where many people were abducted and members of police and local security operatives were killed by the kidnappers.

Speaking on efforts made to address the situation, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, declaring that nowhere in Kwara will be safe for criminal elements, including kidnappers.

The governor, in a statement by his chief press secretary (CPS), Rafiu Ajakaye on Wednesday, said that,

‘The Army Headquarters has since relocated the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2nd Division to Ilorin as part of the renewed efforts to strengthen security operations in the state’

‘Following the recent attack at Oke Ode, the governor travelled to Abuja to brief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during which he reiterated his request for additional federal deployment to raid the hideouts.

‘I presided over the State Security Council meeting at Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, on Tuesday night to integrate state and federal assets into a single strategy for both Kwara North and South’.

Governor Abdulrazaq assured Kwara residents that his administration would not relent in supporting security agencies to keep every community safe.

‘I have assurances of the security forces to smoke out and eliminate the criminals from their hideouts. We will fight insecurity with every resource at our disposal. Kwara will not be a hiding place for criminals.

‘To any criminal who seeks to destabilise the peace in Kwara, you may run, but you cannot escape justice. Kwara belongs to its people, and their peace will be defended,’ the governor added.

Ondo State Mandate Elders Forum, on Wednesday, expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not only secure re-election as Nigeria’s President but also remain unmatched by any opposition candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential poll.

Speaking on behalf of the group after its monthly meeting in Akure, Ondo state capital, the forum facilitator, Chief Ademola Ijabiyi, dismissed speculations that President Tinubu could be defeated, arguing that no serious alternative has emerged within the opposition ranks.

While dismissing speculation that President Tinubu could be defeated in the 2027 presidential election, Ijabiyi argued that no serious alternative has emerged within the opposition ranks.

Ijabiyi said, ‘First of all, Tinubu will win. That’s my answer. Which party is preparing for the presidency now? In Ondo State alone, we have more than 10 support groups already. Which other aspirant has anything anywhere? We don’t even know them yet. Somebody who is going to defeat Tinubu next year has not even emerged, when it’s not a councillorship election.

According to him, Tinubu’s key economic policies, including fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, and tax reforms, were decisive steps that no rival could credibly challenge without taking the country backwards.

‘You can’t say we should go back to a subsidy regime. You can’t say that we should go back to double foreign exchange. So, what are you going to do? We are not comparing personalities; we are comparing programmes.

‘Tinubu said he would remove subsidy, unify the foreign exchange, and do tax reforms. And he is doing it. What are the others proposing? We don’t even know them.’

The All Progressives Congress (APC) elder also cast doubt on the readiness of opposition leaders such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, saying they were still quarreling without clear programmes or directions.

He further dismissed speculations about former President Goodluck Jonathan returning, insisting the Constitution does not allow anyone to serve beyond eight years or two terms of four years.

Speaking on Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, he acknowledged that Nigerians are going through hardship but urged citizens to endure the ‘temporary pains’ of reform.

‘There are always pains accompanying surgery. What Tinubu has done to our economy is medical and surgical. Without the removal of fuel subsidy, without the revival of foreign exchange, we would have been in a very great mess. It is not easy at all, but they are temporary pains.

Admitted that recovery had taken longer than expected, but expressed optimism that inflation and other economic pressures were gradually easing.

‘I wasn’t expecting that it would take so long to recover. It just shows that the problem is deep, but certainly, it is now coming down. Inflation has reduced from over 40% to about 20%, and Tinubu has promised us that it is coming back to 15%.’

The APC leader called on Nigerians to be patient with the administration, stressing that ‘nobody is challenging Tinubu’ as the country continues its path of economic reforms.

Ijabiyi, however, declared the readiness of the APC elders forum to join hands with other support groups to deliver overwhelming support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, pledging to mobilise more than one million votes from the state.

He emphasized that Ondo remains a stronghold of the APC and will play a decisive role in securing victory for the President, saying ‘We need to demonstrate that we too can participate actively in the process that will lead to the delivery of Ondo State for Tinubu in 2027.

‘Ondo State is Tinubu any day. Ondo State is APC any day. We are going to win, but it is not just a matter of winning. We want to deliver figures far above the 300,000 votes delivered in the last election.

‘Even though it represented about 69% of the votes, this time we want to go far. We will call people out. Call people to register. Call them to come and vote for Tinubu. The elders have a role to play in it. They cannot just sit on the fence and then watch as things go on. That’s the purpose of this lecture.’

Also speaking, the Secretary of the forum, Hon. Ebenezer Alabi, explained that the body was established to coordinate elder statesmen and influential leaders across Ondo in delivering a stronger mandate for the President.

Alabi said, ‘It’s an elders’ committee set up to work hard in Ondo State to see to the re-election of our President. In the last election, Ondo State came first in terms of percentage of votes. This time around, we are moving around to galvanize all the elders in Ondo State and make sure that we return a very tangible and reasonable vote for Mr. President in the 2027 election.’

On the unity of purpose among the different pro-Tinubu groups, Alabi stressed that there was no division, as all efforts were directed towards the same objective.

‘This is a support group and every other group is welcome, and that has been the spirit of our meetings. We can have as many as possible, as far as the objective is to work for the re-election of Mr. President. Lots of people gave excuses for their absence today, but many more are still coming. If there are others, they are all welcome. As long as we are working for the same goal, there is no crisis at all.’

The committee said it would intensify grassroots mobilization, voter registration campaigns, and community engagement to ensure Ondo State delivers not only the highest percentage but also record-breaking numbers for the APC in 2027.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Erastus Akeju, brought together respected political, traditional, and community leaders committed to mobilising grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and ensuring his administration’s reforms succeed in the state.

The members include Pastor Olufemi Bakare, Chief Femi Osedimbola, Chief Nimbe Tawose,

Ebenezer Alabi, Senator Yele Omogunwa, Solomon Oladunni, Chief Nathaniel Fapohunda, Pastor Femi Agagu, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, Chief Mrs. Grace Animola, Princess Dr. Adebunmi Osadahunsi, and Chief Lawrence Ibukun Ropitan

Others include Captain Vincent Oyepata (rtd), Chief Bailey Arohunmolase, Chief Femi Omosanya, Rt. Hon. Samuel Aderoboye, Dr. Mrs. Morenike Alaka, Chief Senator Orofin, Hon. Wale Akintimehin, Chief Dapo Filani, Otunba Omoniyi Omodara, Chief Isaac Ayeyemi, Elder Michael Adeyeye, and Chief Korede Duyile, amongst others.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition in which you have frequent unwanted thoughts and sensations (obsessions) that cause you to perform repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The repetitive behaviors can significantly interfere with social interactions and daily activities.

Everyone experiences obsessions and compulsions at a certain point in time. We occasionally double-check if the gas cylinder or stove is off, we check if our doors are locked over and over, and we keep cleaning the surfaces of chairs, tables, and so on.

But if all these become extreme, then it’s no longer considered to be normal but a sign of OCD.

Symptoms of OCD

Fear of making mistakes

Need for neatness and perfection

Fear of gems, dirt, or contamination

Need for constant reassurance

Arranging things in a specific way

Bathing, cleaning, and washing your hands over and over.

Repeatedly checking things, such as locks, doors.

Fear of losing control or making mistakes.

Causes

The exact cause of OCD is not fully known, but some factors are believed to contribute to its development, including:

1. Genetics

People who have relatives with OCD are at a higher risk of developing the condition.

2. Environment

Stressful life events or trauma can trigger OCD

3. Biological factors

Hypersensitivity in certain brain areas and neurotransmitter imbalances.

Treatment

Patients with OCD who receive appropriate treatment usually experience improvement in OCD symptoms as well as increased quality of life and improved functioning.

1. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) known as exposure and response (ritual) prevention (ERP) is the first-line therapy for OCD.

2. Medication

A class of medications known as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is the other first-line treatment for OCD. Examples are fluoxetine, sertraline, etc.

3. Combination Therapy

The use of Cognitive behaviour therapy and medication.

The people of Anni, Egbetua, Ikpena and Udurebho communities in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State have called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene in the leadership crisis rocking the clan.

They specifically asked the governor to set up an administrative panel to look into the headship crisis, with specific reference to the leadership of the Olososo over the other communities in the clan.

The leaders of the communities made the call after an emergency meeting where they accused the Olososo, Chief Bamidele Obaitan, of not being the recognised ruler, as they said the five communities, with Okhe being the fifth one, that make up Ososo have their various chiefs.

They accused him of highhandedness and that he was interested in businesses and harassment of the people in the face of insecurity and kidnappings in the area.

After the meeting, one of the elders, Chief Aiyero Omokhojie, stated that Ososo customs and traditions ‘are older than anyone alive, and they are handed to successive generations in their pristine forms.’

He said the issue of chieftaincy conferment remained strictly a matter for the kindred, as no central authority had power to confer such titles.

Chief Peter Iduoremeh, on his part, asserted that each community in Ososo reserved the right to their lands ‘because right from time immemorial, each community is vested with the right to administer its land. This position was further confirmed by a federal high court judgment in May 2004.’

A youth who spoke on the condition of anonymity said insecurity had become pervasive in Ososo as different cult gangs continued to unleash terror on hapless residents.

When contacted, Obaitan dismissed the claim that the clan has no central authority headed by the Olososo.

‘Those people are not telling the truth. Ososo is made up of quarters that have chiefs and that form the Ososo Council of Traditional Rulers. I am the gazette paramount ruler of Ososo.

‘These are trouble makers, as every quarter has their chiefs, but I am the paramount ruler. It has always been like that from. There is no autonomous community; these people have been causing problems, and some of them are having issues with the EFCC,’ Obaitan reiterated.