Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in the 2023 elections has fired back at Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other critics who accused him of demarketing Nigeria on the global stage.

Obi insists his comments were rooted in facts, not intended to tarnish the country’s image.

Speaking at a memorial lecture in Abuja on Wednesday, May 7, for elder statesman Pa Edwin Clark, Obi defended his earlier remarks at Johns Hopkins University, highlighting Nigeria’s economic decline over the past 25 years and the country’s deepening poverty crisis.

“I spoke a few days ago, and people said I am demarketing Nigeria. When is truth being demarketing? The World Bank has just shown that 75% of Nigerians in rural areas are poor. Is the World Bank marketing Nigeria?” Obi asked.

READ ALSO: Jandor blames Peter Obi for his defeat in Lagos governorship race

Citing a recent UNICEF report, Obi added, “UNICEF two days ago said that Nigeria has over two million malnourished children, the second highest in the world. Are they demarketing Nigeria? Let’s face the reality.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu had earlier criticised Obi’s comments as “unflattering” and “disturbing,” accusing him of failing to represent Nigeria positively abroad.

“When prominent Nigerians go overseas, they ought to project Nigeria positively. We all owe a duty to market Nigeria on the global stage rather than demarket her. That is what true patriotism is about,” Sanwo-Olu said.

READ ALSO: ‘I’ll move out my army of youth’ – ex-Peter Obi ally backs Seyi Tinubu as Sanwo-Olu’s successor

But Obi countered that acknowledging harsh truths is essential to solving Nigeria’s challenges. He also pointed out that comparing Nigeria’s poverty rate to countries like China, Indonesia, and Vietnam reveals the severity of the issue.

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Obi concluded that leadership quality is at the root of Nigeria’s decline, adding, “The fate of a nation is closely tied to the quality of its leadership.”

Cardinals have started returning to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican to vote for a new pope as the papal conclave enters its second day.  The first round of voting to succeed Pope Francis was held on Wednesday in the Vatican but resulted in black smoke billowing from the chapel’s chimney, meaning no cardinal has reached the required threshold to win the election.  On day two, cardinals will vote up to four times throughout the morning and afternoon with the hope white smoke will be released into the skies to signal a new pope has been chosen.The post Cardinals return to vote in Sistine Chapel as election for new pope enters second day appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

The Federal Government has asked Nigerians to exercise caution regarding their salt intake, warning that excessive consumption could lead to serious health complications.

The warning came from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in response to a viral video in which Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the President and Founder of Loveworld Incorporated, better known as Christ Embassy, can be seen encouraging his congregation to eat more salt.

To justify his advice, the clergy argued that Africans were deliberately made to avoid salt so that they could buy sodium-infused drugs.

However, the health ministry warned that salt contains sodium, an essential mineral that supports vital body functions, but it must be taken in moderation.

ALSO READ: Pastor Chris Oyakhilome accuses the music industry of constantly cheating the chu

“The federal ministry of health and social welfare has observed a widely circulated video in which a respected religious leader discourages Nigerians from heeding medical advice on salt consumption,” Alaba Balogun, the ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, said in a statement.

“While we deeply respect the important role of faith and religious leaders in our society, it is crucial to correct misinformation that poses a risk to public health.”

The spokesman explained that moderate salt intake is safe, but stressed that excessive consumption contributes to high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and other preventable illnesses.

He noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a maximum of 5 grams of salt per day (about one teaspoon).

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According to Balogun, research has shown that Nigerians consume more than double the stipulated daily sodium intake, adding that the ministry will launch the national sodium reduction guidelines aimed at reducing salt content across all food categories.

“Salt is not the enemy. Salt contains sodium, an essential mineral that supports vital body functions such as nerve activity, muscle movement, and fluid balance. However, the concern lies in excessive consumption, not in salt itself,” he said.

ALSO READ: Pastor Oyakhilome needs to leave this coronavirus topic alone, it’s really not his thing [Pulse Editor’s Opinion]

“We wish to state clearly: Doctors do not lie. Nigeria’s health professionals are trained to offer evidence-based guidance rooted in decades of scientific research and patient care.

“The presence of regulated sodium compounds in certain medications is not equivalent to dietary salt (sodium chloride) and is safe when prescribed appropriately.”