As the September 26 local government elections in Enugu State draw near, the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, on Thursday flagged off its campaign in Oji River Local Government Area.

Leading the campaign team were the State Chairman of the party, Dr. Johnpaul Anih; the State Secretary, Dr. Sebastian Okafor; the party’s leader in Enugu State, Dr. SKC Ogbonnia; and other members of the State Working Committee.

Addressing the mammoth crowd at the Community Market Square, Egwu-Achi, Oji River Local Government Area, Dr. Johnpaul Anih urged the people of Oji River to come out en masse on September 26 and vote for all NDC candidates, assuring them that the party would provide a responsive, people-oriented and accountable administration at the grassroots.

Dr. Anih said the NDC had presented credible candidates with the capacity and commitment to transform the local government and improve the welfare of its people, vowing to work tirelessly to dislodge the APC and establish a government driven by the interests of the people.

He urged voters not to be deceived by political rhetoric but to carefully assess the candidates based on their character, competence, track record and commitment to the development of Oji River.

The NDC State Chairman also called on the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC, and security agencies to ensure a level playing field for all participating political parties, stressing that the September 26 election should be free, fair, transparent and credible.

He further urged NDC supporters and candidates to remain peaceful and law-abiding throughout the electoral process, while charging them to take the party’s message of change and development to every ward and polling unit in the local government.

On his part, the State Secretary of the party, Dr. Sebastian Okafor, urged the people of Oji River to seize the opportunity presented by the election to elect leaders who would put the interests of the people above personal and political considerations.

Dr. Okafor said the NDC was determined to build strong grassroots structures and deliver effective representation across the 17 local government areas of the state.

The leader of the party in Enugu State, Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, while addressing the gathering, called on the people of Oji River to support the NDC candidates, describing the party as a credible platform for political change and good governance.

Dr. Ogbonnia urged the electorate to reject politicians who only remember the people during elections, stressing the need for leaders who would remain accessible and accountable to the people after assuming office.

He expressed confidence in the ability of the NDC candidates to secure victory in the election, urging party supporters to remain united and committed to the campaign until the final votes are cast.

The Chairman of the NDC in Oji River Local Government Area, Hon. Anderson Emerole, thanked the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee for its commitment to strengthening the party and taking the campaign to the grassroots.

He said the people of Oji River were ready for a new political direction and assured the state leadership that the local government would deliver massive support for the party at the September 26 poll.

The party’s chairmanship candidate for Oji River Local Government Area, Bishop James Jideofor, assured the people of a responsive, inclusive and people-centred administration if elected.

Bishop Jideofor promised to prioritise grassroots development, improve the welfare of residents and work with relevant stakeholders to address the pressing needs of communities across the local government.

He appealed to the people of Oji River to entrust their mandate to the NDC, promising that the party’s administration would remain accountable to the electorate.

The campaign also featured addresses by other party leaders and candidates, who called on residents to support the NDC at the polls.

Highlight of the campaign was the official presentation of Bishop James Jideofor as the NDC chairmanship candidate, alongside his running mate, Hon. Alison Nwankwo, and the party’s 20 councillorship candidates to the enthusiastic crowd.

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has announced plans to organise aerobics sessions every three months to promote healthy living and physical activity among Nigerian women.

The National President of NCWS, Princess Edna Azura, said this on Thursday in Abuja during an aerobic exercise organised by the council for members and affiliated groups.

Azura said the initiative was prompted by the need for women to adopt healthier lifestyles, particularly as changing dietary habits and inadequate physical activity contributed to poor health outcomes.

She urged Nigerian women, especially older women, to embrace regular exercise as part of their daily routines, emphasising that physical activity was essential for maintaining health and overall wellbeing.

“I just feel that in this dispensation, we eat lots of things that are making us unhealthy, and naturally, Nigerian women, especially the older ones, are not used to sports.

“So, I felt it is high time we join this race so that we live healthy,” she said.

Azura said the council would encourage its state presidents to replicate the exercise during their meetings and extend the initiative to local government areas and ward levels.

She said the initiative was expected to promote a culture of physical activity among women across the country and encourage healthier lifestyles within communities.

“The 774 local government areas and the ward levels should emulate it. We should imbibe the spirit of sports,” she said.

The NCWS president also said the council would continue discussions on peace, security and democracy, noting the importance of security to peaceful coexistence, particularly as the country prepares for elections.

The National Secretary of NCWS, Dr Bolatito Babalola-Alabi, said the exercise left her feeling “light and happy,” adding that the activity made her day and improved her wellbeing.

Babalola-Alabi said that women often carried heavy responsibilities and needed activities that would help them relax, refresh themselves and maintain their physical and mental wellbeing.

Similarly, Mrs Selena Ali, President of the NCWS Plateau Branch, said the exercise made her feel healthier and would be incorporated into the branch’s meetings.

Ali said the initiative would be taken to the state level to enable more women to participate, enjoy physical activity and improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Also speaking, Princess Ada Amam, an affiliate member, described the exercise as beneficial to women and pledged to replicate the initiative among members and affiliated groups.

Amam said the session demonstrated the importance of combining regular exercise with healthy eating, particularly for women at different stages of life, including after childbearing and during menopause.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise brought together NCWS members and affiliates in an effort to encourage women to make physical activity and healthy living part of their daily routines.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru