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The Lagos State Chapter of the All oProgressives Congress has announced that elections would be held in the 20 Local Government and 37 Council Development Areas across the state, come 2025. According to a statement credited to the state chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the state chapter deemed it fit to announce plans to organise elections into offices at the LG and LCDA levels, having been inundated by the media, party members and other stakeholders on information about the conduct of the forthcoming Local Government elections. Ojelabi’s statement noted that stakeholders were keen to know whether elections would be held in the 37 Local Council Development Areas – LCDAs or not. ‘It has become expedient to clear the air on the needless and distractive speculation. “We wish to inform all and sundry that the Local Government elections will be held across the state in the 20 Local Government Councils and the 37 Local Council Development Areas in the year 2025”. He announced. He also said: “Since their creation, the Local Council Development Areas have not only been the closest to the grassroots but also brought the desired developments across the state. Ojelabi explained that the party has observed with keen interest the recent debates on the desirability of the existence of the LCDAs and the need to hold elections in their political offices. He said: “Our position as a progressive party is that we cannot discountenance the contributions of the LCDAs to the overall political and socio-economic development of the state.” He also noted that the LCDAs have complimented the other two tiers of government in areas like road, drainage and market construction, school and housing projects, primary education and health facilities and various social service interventions. Ojelabi added that various collaborative efforts with the state government on refuse disposal, dand rain clearing are also pointers to their relevance” He said the APC as a progressive party “cannot discountenance the contributions of the LCDAs to the overall political and socio-economic development of the state.”
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NoneCatherine, Princess of Wales is to host her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday, her biggest event in her return to royal duties after ending her chemotherapy. A specially-designed illustration by British artist Charlie Mackesy - which embodies the service's themes of kindness, love and empathy - will feature on the Order of Service. Families affected by the Southport knife attack will be among the 1,600 guests at the event. It comes at the end of a difficult year for Catherine, after her cancer diagnosis in March, followed by months of treatment. The illustration says: "How did I help?" with the answer "you were by my side, which was everything" - expressing the carol concert's message of showing solidarity for those in need. The children's illustrator, who is is known for his bestselling book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse, said: "I hope it reminds us of the beauty of being there for each other at Christmas." Ahead of the carol concert, Kate sent a letter to guests calling for "love, not fear". Each stage of Kate's return to the public eye has made headlines, but this week will have seen her at two major events - the emir of Qatar's state visit and this Together at Christmas carol service. And more than any of the events so far this year, this concert will place the princess centre stage rather than in a supporting role. This will be her big personal moment - after a year of health worries described by the Prince of Wales as "brutal" for their family. There will be famous performers at the concert, including Richard E Grant, Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter, along with guests who have worked hard to help others in their communities. It is intended to show support for those who have had tough years, including families of those caught up in the Southport knife attacks, whom the princess visited in October. Olympic and world-champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, who also received a cancer diagnosis this year, will be among those lighting candles. But much of the focus will be on Catherine, Prince William and other Royal Family members at the service. The language in the run-up to the carol concert has been strikingly emotional, calling for greater empathy for those facing difficulties. "Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times," Catherine wrote in a letter to guests invited to the concert, which is being recorded for an ITV programme on 24 December. In her letter, Catherine writes about the importance of compassion, "gentle words or a receptive ear, an arm around an exhausted shoulder, or silently being by someone's side", and "the love that we show ourselves and the love we show others - love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope". And guests will be able to leave a message on a "kindness tree" outside the abbey. Whether a reflection of her own experiences of ill health in such a high-profile role, or addressing a social-media generation that expects more emotional openness, it is a very different tone from traditionally understated royal messages. It has a similarly personal approach to Catherine's video on social media in September, when she announced she had finished her chemotherapy treatment, with its message of hopeful endurance: "Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright."
Mexico’s president said Thursday she will ask President-elect Donald Trump to deport non-Mexican migrants directly to their home countries, rather than dumping them at the Mexican border. President Claudia Sheinbaum said she hopes to reach an agreement with Trump so that “they send people who come from other countries to their countries of origin.” Mexico, like any other country, is not obligated to accept non-Mexican migrants, but it has agreed to do so in the recent past, especially from countries like Cuba and Venezuela, which often refuse deportation flights from the United States, but may accept them from Mexico. Mexican officials have said they are already making preparations if Trump follows through on his pledge to carry out large-scale deportations of migrants who lack the proper documents once he takes office on Jan. 20. Mexico is obviously fearful of two things: large-scale deportations of Mexican citizens and large numbers of non-Mexicans being deported at border crossings that are ill-equipped to deal with them. Experts estimate there are about 4 million Mexicans living in the U.S. without proper documentation. Mexico is already preparing its consular services in the U.S. with additional manpower to handle deportation cases involving its own citizens. But third-country deported migrants pose a thornier challenge, and could include considerable numbers of Haitians, Cubans and Venezuelans. Between 2022 and 2023, Mexico agreed to accept up to 30,000 migrants per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, countries that are difficult for the U.S. to deport to for diplomatic or political reasons. That agreement is currently in place. In late 2023, Venezuela said Mexico had repatriated about 300 Venezuelan migrants on two flights. Such returns pose a monetary burden for the Mexican government. Mexico had offered some of the repatriated Venezuelans a stipend of about $110 per month for six months to help them re-establish themselves in their home countries. However, the task of finding jobs, shelter and transportation for deported Mexicans would presents an even greater challenge for Mexico. Migration has long been a sensitive issue between the two countries, and has become even more urgent following Trump's threat to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican goods unless the country does more to stem the flow of migrants and drugs. In November, Trump claimed that Sheinbaum had “agreed to stop migration through Mexico” following a phone call between the two leaders. Sheinbaum, meanwhile, suggested Mexico was already doing its part and had no interest in closing its borders. “We reiterate that Mexico’s position is not to close borders but to build bridges between governments and between peoples,” Sheinbaum said at the time.
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