₦airaland Forum

The Enugu State Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, SMEs, success story cannot be complete without acknowledging the substantial role played by a committed and hardworking man; a man who is passionate about welfare of the youth and making sure that they have something doing in the society, Hon. Arinze Chilo Offiah, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Enugu State on SME Development, and Head of the Enugu State SME Center. In line with the mandate of governor of state, His Excellency, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in facilitating development of SMEs, Hon. Chilo-Offia has continuously offered himself as a frontier for the state’s development with his numerous trailblazing projects in the SMEs since his assumption of office in 2019.

Identifying unemployment as one of the problems that needed to be surmounted in Enugu State, this Northeast University, Boston trained financial expert is of the view that best way to overcoming unemployment in the state is to set up Micro and Medium Scale Businesses, hence he fronted over 15 successful Skill Acquisition Programs in partnership with some private sectors. The beneficiaries of these programs have gone on to build impressive Startups.

"By helping the unemployed and underemployed become business owners, and developing SMEs, the state will definitely thrive," he said in one of the interviews he granted the media.

Despite the negative impact of the coronavirus on budding businesses globally Nigeria inclusive, Enugu State crossed a milestone by becoming one of the top 5 startup ecosystems in Nigeria, and was ranked 978th globally. World most comprehensive startup ecosystem map and research centre, StartupBlink, couldn't have be wrong about these rankings - Enugu could become the 1st state in the Southeast of Nigeria to make it to the top 5 ecosystems in Nigeria, leaving 31 states behind. All these are result of an experienced financial expert and banker who used his experience at America Insurance Group and Bank of America, Merrill Lynch to transform the Enugu SMEs sector thereby making it one of the leading states in SMEs development and skill acquisition programmes in the country.

When the state government received its share of the COVID-19 Survival Fund - grant meant to support defenseless SMEs in fulfilling their mandate during the pandemic, and protecting employment within the Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises, the pioneer Executive Director of Anambra State Developmental Agency, make sure was a given to the deserving sectors, few are his type in the country.

For the Artisan Support Grant, his special focus was on youth artisans within the age range of 18 to 38. This constituted a one-off payment of ₦20,000 to ₦30,000.

500,000 individual beneficiaries were targeted for the Payroll Support Program which paid between 3 to 10 staff the sum of ₦30,000 to ₦50,000 for three months.

These programmes succeeded in reserving employment and uphold local production.

Hon. Chilo-Offiah also did the same for the Transportation Sector and has been launching more programs to improve the general productivity of the state.

The successful CAC Business Name Registration for over 6,000 Startups has finally made a reflection in lunging Enugu forward and putting the State on the global map.

All these are just few of the many success stories of Hon Arinze Chilo-Offia who has used his wealth of experience to turn the SMEs sector around in Enugu State and by extension Enugu State Government.

https://www.akelicious.net/hon-chilo-offiah-the-man-behind-enugu-smes-success-story/

A Federal High Court in Abuja has thrown out the suit filed by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) against Senator Buhari Abdulfatai.

Justice Inyang Ekwo made the decision on Thursday after he discovered that AMCON fraudulently obtained an order to seize houses belonging to Senator Buhari over alleged N600m debt.

Justice Ekwo issued the March 25 order temporarily empowering AMCON appointed receiver to take over the property allegedly pledged by the Senator when his company – Abadat Ventures Ltd – got the loan from GTB.
However, Daily Post reported that Justice Inyang Ekwo found that AMCON misled and concealed facts from the court in obtaining the ex-parte order issued on March 25, 2021, on the basis of which AMCON took possession of the Senator’s property, including 12 St. Petersburg Street, Wuse 2 and Plot 516 off Misau Crescent, off Birnin Kebbi Crescent, Garki 2 (both in Abuja).

Justice Ekwo said AMCON concealed the fact that the Senator and his company filed a suit as far back as 2013 (FHC/ABJ/CS/746/13) challenging the legitimacy of the alleged debt.

The judge, however, upheld the arguments by the lawyer to the Senator and his company – Ahmed Raji (SAN) to the effect that the suit filed by AMCON in March this year, while the 2013 suit was still pending, amounted to an abuse of the court process.

Justice Ekwo rejected arguments by the AMCON lawyer, who had relied on the provisions of sections 33(a) and 39(c) of AMCON Act (2019), and held that both sections were inapplicable because they were enacted during the pendency of the earlier suit filed by the Senator and his company.
lt is only just and proper that the action filed since 2013 be concluded before the first claimant (AMCON) can take further action on the property,” the judge said.

He added that AMCON Act 2019 cannot apply to a suit filed in 2013 before the amended AMCON Act became effective.
“I have noted that when the claimants filed this action by their ex-parte motion for interlocutory possession, dated 11th March 2021, which this court granted on 25th March 2021, no averment in the affidavit in support thereof made any mention of an existing action in court.

“I believe that, if that was done, the court would have made orders requisite in the circumstances of this case.

“It can therefore be said that the order of this court on the motion ex-parte of the claimants was not made upon full disclosure of material facts by the claimants.

“Where the court discovers that it has been made to make an order upon non-disclosure of relevant and material facts, such order is liable ex debito justitiae (as of right) to be set aside.

“I find that the claimants filed this action during the pendency of suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/746/2013 – Abadat Ventures Ltd. & Anor v. Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria & Anor – which subject matter is the same as that of this case and the parties are the same, amount to a multiplicity of a suit on the same subject matter and between the same parties.
In such situation, the later action is considered an abuse of process of Court and I so hold.

“I make an order setting aside the order make on the ex-parte motion by the Claimants in this case on 25th March 2021.

“I also make an order dismissing this case for being an abuse of process of the court.

“The claimants should know what to do if they have any right to protect or claim in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/746/2013 – Abadat Ventures Ltd. & Anor v. Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria & Anor. The law is clear on such situation,” Justice Ekwo held.

https://www.akelicious.net/court-throws-out-amcons-suit-against-buhari/

The 2015 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside has called on Governor Nyesom Wike to urgently reactivate the drainage master plan put in place by his predecessor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi.

Dr Peterside spoke against the terrible flooding being experienced in several parts of Port Harcourt and Rivers state at large.

He lamented that Rivers people have suffered untold hardship as a result of the flooding, which had long ago been predicted by Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET), with the state featuring prominently.

According to him, former Governor Chibuike Amaechi's administration had put in place a drainage master plan for the city of Port Harcourt and was already being executed before he left office in 2015 but was however abandoned by Wike for political reasons.     

Peterside, a former commissioner of works in Rivers State, blamed the Wike-led administration for not paying attention to early warning signals from NIMET but rather chose to put the blame on Rivers people who are already suffering from lack of jobs and economic empowerment.    

According to him, “Our people are traumatized, a lot of persons are displaced, we have lost several goods and properties estimated at over N3bn, social and economic life has been disrupted because the state government slept off, our people are suffering.

“The governor awards projects from his office without going through the due process and the very important Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which has unfortunately led to pain and agony by the people.

“It is even more shocking that the state government is yet to respond, even if half-heartedly to the cries of the people but has chosen to blame everybody other than itself. A responsive government should by now be engaging and looking for ways out of the crisis.

“Port Harcourt has never had it this bad and it can only mean that the state’s relevant ministries, departments, and agencies are either incompetent in carrying out their duties or have been starved of necessary funds to function optimally.”

The former director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) called on the government to immediately mobilize resources of the state to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.

“With heavy rains expected in coming weeks as predicted by NIMET, it will only be natural that the Rivers state government immediately activate the moribund emergency management agency that can react swiftly to serious situations and arrest whatever difficulty the people may be facing.

“This is the time for the state government to show compassion rather than grandstanding and looking for who to blame for its own ineptitude and maladministration. Our people deserve better than this and it is the responsibility of the government to provide solutions,” he stated.


https://www.akelicious.net/wike-must-urgently-reactivate-flood-control-master-plan-in-rivers-dakuku/

Reacting IPOB’s threat, the Nigeria Police, Zone 9 headquarters, Umuahia, said it had put measures in place to ensure peace and order in the zone.
Accordingly, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Kingsley Iredibia, expressed his conviction that the court in Abuja would make good its words, hence there would be no need for people to panic after the date.
But if for any reason it didn’t hold, we will maintain peace,” he said, even as he advised the general public in the zone not to entertain any fear, “but go about their normal duties”.

https://www.akelicious.net/30-day-shutdown-police-reacts-to-ipobs-threat/

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has called on Christian leaders in Nigeria to encourage their members to contest political positions so as to produce suitable leaders.

Wike, who made the call on Wednesday, admonished the church to encourage its members to be part of the governance process, even as the 2023 general elections approaches.

This was contained in a statement issued by the media aide to the governor, Kelvin Ebiri, titled ‘Church of Nigeria honours Wike, Sanwo-Olu Akerelodu, others’.

According to the statement, Wike said a situation whereby Christians leave governance for politicians alone is no longer obtainable, adding that the effect of bad leadership would also affect the church if they remain in different to issues of governance.

“You must be part of choosing leadership. Don’t say you have no role, you have a role. When you don’t participate, bad leaders will emerge and when bad leadership emerges, you are part of it.

“You must encourage your people to be part of leadership. I didn’t go to any school to study leadership.
You will feel proud about it. That used to be the most corrupt agency, but today it is headed by a priest and you can see the difference,” the governor stated.

Wike decried the inherent injustice that has characterized the Nigerian State, and urged the church to speak against sociopolitical issues adversely affecting the progress of the country.

“We say we are all one Nigeria. We went to World Bank to borrow money to do specific projects. One of the states that make up Nigeria, I hear is Rivers State.

“I also know in paying this money back to World Bank, money that comes from the resources of my state will be used in paying back this money. But my state was denied to have projects from that loan,” he added.

Others who were also conferred the award include Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Ondo State counterpart, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

https://www.akelicious.net/encourage-members-to-contest-political-offices-wike-tells-church-leaders/

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, on Tuesday, said the state has embarked on a N10 billion cattle ranch project to centralise all herders in Kaduna.

El-Rufai, who spoke with newsmen shortly after a meeting with officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, said the project will be completed in two years.

The governor said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was supporting the state with about N7.5 billion for the success of the project.

He said the Northern States Governors’ Forum has already taken a position that open grazing is not a sustainable way of livestock production but ranching.

“But moving towards ranching cannot be done overnight. We have to have a plan; we have to have resources and we have to implement it sensibly. We have taken a position as northern state governors and we are implementing that.

“In my state for instance, we are developing a huge ranch to centralize the herders. And that is the solution a long time. But can it be done overnight? No.

“This project we are doing will cost us about N10 billion. The CBN is supporting us with about N7.5 billion. And it will take about two years to do.

“And I hope that the Fulani herdsmen, they will see that there are alternative ways of producing livestock instead of running up and down with cattle going to people’s farms to cause all kinds of problems. We want to solve the problem.

“What is unhelpful is politicising the situation and passing legislation that you know that you cannot implement. So, we have taken a position and we are working round the clock to implement that position.

“These herders emanate from the north and we are going to centralise them. We cannot do it overnight. We need billions of naira. This is just one ranch that is costing N10 billion.

“I have 14 grazing reserves in Kaduna State and I will like to turn them into ranches. Do I have 14 times N10 billion? I don’t have,” the governor said.

https://www.akelicious.net/kadunas-n10bn-cattle-ranch-will-be-ready-in-two-years-el-rufai/

The Federal Government has done it again, this time on the shores of the United States, even as President Muhammadu Buhari is in New York to attend the United Nations Economic Summit.
Some African Americans, not many, held out placards as they hoped to show solidarity with Mr. Buhari.
On the placards, the crowd that was clearly bought by the Federal Government denied most things that are reality in Nigeria, like the killing of Christians and the desire for about 50% of people to secede from Nigeria.
This is coming after Yoruba Nation agitators came out en-masse to make their agitations known.

Nigerians on Twitter, have called out Buhari for stooping so low to deceive the world about what is the reality of the Nigerian society.

Tope said, “Shameless people
They are enjoying everything the United States and New York has to offer but they can’t come back to Nigeria to face what we are facing here.”
John said, “The money this gvt wastes tying to force themselves on ppl is foolish oo. Just do the right thing and there won’t be need for all of these madness.”
One feels the people holding placards are not Nigerians.

“They are not Nigerians, they were hired from Malawi to do what they did. The whole world knew what is happening in Nigeria and this is not a matter of placards carrying.”

https://www.akelicious.net/nigerians-call-out-buhari-for-hiring-crowd-to-support-him-in-new-york/

Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to stop taking pictures with “heartless, valueless” politicians switching political parties.

Some prominent politicians recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and met with the president at Aso Rock for pictures before announcing the switch.

The latest defection was that of Femi Fani-Kayode who, last week, announced his crossover to the ruling party as pictures of himself meeting with the president went viral.

Obi, in a chat with Arise TV on Monday, condemned the trend while adding that the act “is sending the wrong signal that you can be anything and be elevated into something”.

He said the president should instead take pictures “at the funeral of our falling soldiers, police, or their family” or with “young people who are doing innovative things in the tech industry”.

“Let me tell you what I found worrisome about the defection of today. What I found worrisome is people, weekly and daily, being led to go and take photoshoots with the president, I’m worried about it. I want to see the president taking pictures at the funeral of our falling soldiers, police, or their family,” the former vice-presidential candidate said.

“I want to see him taking pictures with young people who are doing innovative things in the tech industry. I want to see him taking pictures with people who are making a lot of impact; not pictures with those of us — I’m generalising politicians — who are heartless, valueless. It is very worrisome. Those pictures are not helping our country. The perception is sending the wrong signal that you can be anything and be elevated into something. That’s why the country is collapsing.”

https://www.akelicious.net/stop-taking-pictures-with-heartless-valueless-politicians-peter-obi-to-buhari/

The United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State “for the ongoing investments in infrastructure and human capital development with notable progress in education, healthcare, and economic growth”.

The UN Resident Coordinator who spoke during a working visit to Enugu State, on Friday, where he interacted with Gov. Ugwuanyi represented by his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, and members of the State Executive Council (EXCO), also commended the governor’s regional push for the south-east to work in unity to advance the peace and development of the region as well as his ongoing efforts at addressing insecurity.

“You (Ugwuanyi) are indeed a champion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in action and service to your people in Enugu State”, Mr. Kallon added, while applauding the state government “for the investments made in enhancing security in the State”.

He urged the governor to continue to strengthen his administration’s investment in security institutions “to create an enabling environment for peace and security and nurture a whole of society approach in managing security in the state”.

The UN Resident Coordinator disclosed that the mission to Enugu State was “to reinforce the partnership between the UN and the Enugu State Government; to address the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic and accelerate implementation of the SDGs to build back better; and to continue to create durable solutions for economic transformation in the state”.

According to him, “I want to commend Enugu State for the optimal COVID-19 response in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic is with us for a long time, until 70 percent of the population is vaccinated. The emergence of new variants in some parts of the world remains a major concern as the virus mutates.

“I encourage the Enugu State authorities to continue to own and lead by example in containing the virus and hold institutions and organizations accountable to ensure compliance with the non-pharmaceutical measures”.

Mr. Kallon equally lauded Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration for domesticating the Child Rights Act, Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

On education and Child Rights, the UN Resident Coordinator revealed that Enugu State, according to MICS 2016/17, has achieved gender parity in access to both primary and secondary education, adding that “the State budget is one of the most effective and powerful policy instruments to fulfill children’s rights and deliver results for children at scale”.

Mr. Kallon pointed out that several UN Agencies including UNICEF, WHO and UNAIDS have ongoing programmes in Enugu State, stressing that “other UN Agencies are also supporting development efforts in Enugu State through the Federal Institutions”.

In his words: “UNICEF has helped to strengthen the National Health Management Information System (NHMIS) to improve data quality through capacity building, provision of data collection tools and support for data validation process. It has also contributed to progress towards elimination of PMTCT through partnership with communities to engage Voluntary Community Mobilizers (VCMs) who mobilise pregnant women to enter the PMTCT cascade.

“UNICEF has provided resources to strengthen routine immunisation and OBR both within the health system and communities, supported the Enugu State Government to develop a State Social Protection Policy which considers specific interventions that are targeted at improving access of children and young people to key social services and strengthening State systems for the WASH sector.

“WHO (World Health Organization) is supporting Enugu State government in Primary Health Care re-vitalization, COVID-19 outbreak response (coordination, capacity building, surveillance, laboratory, vaccination, and other Emergency Operations Centre pillar activities), Polio Eradication Programme activities, Routine and Supplemental Immunization and Communicable Diseases Control (including Malaria, Tuberculosis, and some neglected tropical diseases).

“Technical and financial assistance is also being provided for implementation of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (and International Health Regulations) including outbreaks of Yellow Fever, Cholera, Lassa Fever and Measles among others”.

Earlier in his address, Gov. Ugwuanyi, through his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Ezeilo, welcomed Mr. Kallon and his entourage to the Government House, Enugu and appreciated the United Nations (UN) for her contributions to the development of Enugu State in particular and Nigeria in general.

Mrs. Ezeilo said that the state government needs “the services and support of the United Nations more than ever before”.

In their separate submissions, members of the State Executive Council (EXCO), namely Rt. Hon. Dr. Festus Uzor (Chief of Staff); Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi (Health); Hon. Chijioke Edeoga (Environment); Hon. Peter Okonkwo (Local Government); Rt. Hon. Princess Peace Nnaji (Gender Affairs) and the Special Adviser to the Governor and the State Focal Person, World Bank/Development Partner Assisted Projects, Hon. Uche Nnadi, praised the conversation and called for greater collaboration between the state government and the United Nations, maintaining that Gov. Ugwuanyi is desirous and committed to impacting the lives of residents of the state positively, in line with the set objectives of his administration and that of the UN.

Members of the UN delegation include WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Molombo, his UNAIDS counterpart, Mr. Erasmus Morah, the Deputy Head, IOM, Mr. Prestage Murima and the Head of Resident Coordinating Office, Mr. Ernest Mutanga, among others.

https://www.akelicious.net/un-commends-ugwuanyis-investment-in-economic-growth/

Former deputy leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) and Director of Information and Communication of Biafra Defacto Customary government, Alphonsus Uche-Mefor says, nothing will stop Anambra governorship election and other subsequent elections in the Southeast region from holding

Mefor who seems to be mocking IPOB members over the counter-productive sit at home exercise some disobedient elements in the group have chosen to sustain despite its suspension by the central command of the movement (DOS), said some people can decide to stay in the bush, in the house or even sleep on the street but election in Anambra State must surely hold.

He said, “If you like stay in the bush, in your house or sleep on the street, election in Anambra and others must hold and Biafrans must exercise their democratic rights. Watch and see”
Mefor’s statement is coming as a counter reaction to the earlier statement made by the dismissed radio Biafra anchorman, Simon Ekpa who had announced in August that election in Anambra State will not hold until their detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu is released from DSS detention facility

Recall that Uche-Mefor had accused Nnamdi Kanu of bastardizing the principle of command and control which the separatist movement applies in its daily operations

He also accused Kanu of fraternizing and collecting money from the same politicians he abuses on his radio Biafra London

Mefor’s outburst however culminated to his removal from the group and the subsequent abolishment of the deputy leader position by Nnamdi Kanu

https://www.akelicious.net/nothing-will-stop-anambra-governorship-election-from-holding-uche-mefor/

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have advised Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi not to drag the party into the frustration he is facing in his new party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Umahi had left PDP to APC on the claim that his former PDP will not zone 2023 presidency to the South East.

The governor was quoted recently of having expressed doubt that the ruling party would pick its presidential candidate from the zone.

Director General of PDP Governors’ Forum, Cyril Maduabum, in a statement said PDP as an independent political party, has workable structures and method of doing things.

Maduabum stated that the party will take decision on “zoning political offices at the appropriate time. Even the APC has not taken any decision yet on zoning.

“Different groups and interests are advancing arguments to defend their positions as is required in a democracy. At the end of the day, decisions will be taken by each political party.”

According to him, PDP is determined in retrieving power from the APC in 2023: “And would craft strategies to achieve same in the national interest as APC currently represents an existential threat to Nigeria democracy and survival.

“Indeed all Nigerians have a duty and responsibility to end this long nightmare of APC misrule

https://www.akelicious.net/zoning-face-your-frustration-in-apc-pdp-govs-tell-umahi/

Despite Ban, Herdsmen Parade, Graze Cows at Enugu House of Assembly.
https://www.akelicious.net/despite-ban-herdsmen-parade-graze-cows-at-enugu-house-of-assembly-photos/

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday expressed fear over the conduct of the November governorship election in Anambra State following the stay-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The body further said that the attack on the facilities of the commission in May this year also posed a threat to the conduct of the slated election. INEC Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, stated this in an interview with newsmen on a side line shortly after the opening ceremony of the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) AMBER Zone Implementers Workshop held in Awka, the state capital.

“Our preparations are on course, even with all the challenges we are facing, such as the attack on our state office on May 23rd and the sit-at-home order, which are eating into our preparation time. But we are doing our best. Ad-hoc workers are already being recruited online and we are interacting with the stakeholders and we are happy with where we are now and we are confident that on November 6, we will have a successful election.

Our 25,000 will be used. We are 5,720 polling units and we hope to deploy four staff for every polling unit.” “We are happy the way we are now and we are confident that on November 6, we will deliver a good election for the people of Anambra State,” he assured. He explained that the commission so far had recruited and mobilised about 25, 000 ad hoc staff for the poll across 5, 720 polling units and four staff each would be deployed to each polling unit during the exercise.

https://www.akelicious.net/anambra-guber-fear-grips-inec-over-ipobs-stay-at-home-order/

Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has reacted to Femi Fani-Kayode’s defection to the All Progressives Congress on Thursday, referring to him as the ‘Judas of Oduduwa.’

In a Facebook post, Gumi on Thursday wrote: “I have for long, neglected the rantings of the Judas of Oduduwa attacking me knowing fully well that he is fake and a traitor.

“Time has now caught up with him and thanks to Allah, all his vituperations are cast in the dustbin of merciless history.

“It is him now, one wonders which of the seven circles of hell this duper will settle if he doesn’t repent.”

Recall that the Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation under President Olusegun Obasanjo, has been an outspoken critic of the APC and the Buhari administration.

Fani-Kayode, however, said that he was moved by Holy Spirit to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, pointing out that he was a founding member of the ruling party.

The former spokesman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council was introduced to President Muhammadu Buhari by the Governor of Yobe State and chairman of the APC national caretaker committee, Mai Mala Buni and his Zamfara state counterpart, Bello Matawalle, presidential villa, Abuja on Thursday.

https://www.akelicious.net/gumi-reacts-to-fani-kayodes-defection-to-apc-calls-him-judas-of-oduduwa/

In August, no fewer than 693 Nigerians lost their lives in various attacks across the country, according to a report released by West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP).

Among the casualties were 183 persons who lost their lives during shoot-out between security operatives and criminal gangs.
Violent clashes, cult clashes, demonstration, culpable homicide, extrajudicial killings, farmer/herders’ conflicts and sexual and gender-based violence accounted for 9, 15, 1, 8, 3, 96 and two deaths respectively.

The findings also showed that 66 incidents of abduction were recorded across 18 States while a total of 496 people, including 37 females and 22 children, were kidnapped.
Further breakdown showed that out of the total fatalities in the month under review, 674 persons including 23 females and 17 children were civilians while 19 persons were security operatives.

Plateau State tops the chart with 122 deaths, while Oyo, Enugu, Cross River recorded the least casualty of one death each.

Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Borno, Imo, Rivers, Ogun, Benue, Delta, Osun, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba recorded 121, 111, 64, 37, 27, 26, 24, 21, 18, 15, 14, 13, 7, and 7 deaths respectively.

https://www.akelicious.net/693-nigerians-were-killed-in-one-month-report/

The South-East Caucus of the National As­sembly has resolved to intervene in the issues that led to the arrest of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

To this end, the Caucus re­solved to set up a committee to constructively interface with relevant stakeholders, the Fed­eral Government and its rele­vant agencies towards finding a political solution.

The Caucus, in its commu­nique, shortly after its meet­ing held at the residence of the former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekwerema­du, in Abuja on Wednesday, reviewed developments in the South-East particularly the se­curity situation in the region vis-à-vis the sit-at-home order and the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The South-East Caucus, in its communique, “Expressed solidarity with our people of the South-East over the mar­ginalisation of the region in the scheme of things within the Nigerian commonwealth.

“The Caucus feels the pains of our people and their quest for equity, justice, and protec­tion of their lives and property in every part of the country.

“The Caucus, therefore, re­solved to continue to fight for a level-playing ground and an enabling federal system where Ndigbo are able to develop their homeland at their own pace and equally pursue their hap­piness and actaulise their enor­mous potentials in every part of the country, unmolested.

“Reviewed the sit-at-home orders by the IPOB and the mayhem some nefarious elements have seized the op­portunity to visit on the lives, properties, and psyche of our people. The Caucus equally reviewed and rued the incal­culable economic losses and hardships these have brought upon our region.

“Resolved to condemn in strongest terms the disrup­tion of the ongoing Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in some parts of the South-East, particularly the incident at Comprehensive Sec­ondary School, Nkume, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, where the English examination organised by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), on Monday, September 13, 2021, was ruth­lessly scuttled by armed men, who chased away the students, teachers, and examiners before setting ablaze motorcycles be­longing to the teachers.

“This is certainly not who we are as a people. On the con­trary, we are a people, who have always cherished and encour­aged learning from the ages. We are a people that fully appreci­ate the place of education in the liberation and enlightenment of the human mind and the socio-economic and political emancipation of a people.

“Equally condemned in strongest terms the incessant killings in the South-East. This must stop immediately. We call on the security agencies to unravel the culprits behind these wicked acts and ensure that they are brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.

“Noted with delight that IPOB has called off the Mon­day sit-at-home order and re­solved to ensure that nobody uses them as façades to bring ruination on Igbo land.

“Call on our people to go about their lawful businesses and enjoin our governors and the security agencies to rebuild confidence in our people by not only ensuring the security of their lives and properties, but also ensuring that our people feel safe as they undertake their legitimate businesses.

“Elaborately discussed the issue of Mazi Nnamdi and re­solved to intervene. To this end, we resolved to set up a commit­tee to constructively interface with relevant stakeholders, the Federal Government and its relevant agencies towards finding a political solution. We will keep Ndigbo abreast of de­velopments in regard.

“Appeal to our people not to allow anyone to destroy the South-East region. The post-war South-East was not built through government patron­age, but largely by the sheer determination and sacrifices of our people, who refused to resign to fate or bow their heads in defeat.

“It is in Igbo land that you easily find hospitals, schools, roads, and other social ameni­ties built by individual or com­munal efforts of the people, home and abroad, through the instruments of the town unions and other community organi­sations such as the age grades, Umuada, etc.

“The result is the compara­tive transformation witnessed in every nook and cranny of Igbo land post-civil war. There­fore, as a people, we cannot be­gin to undermine ourselves or become our own nemesis.

“Anything that threatens Igbo businesses, the peace, security, and stability of the South-East threatens our very existence as a people. Conse­quently, bearing in mind that if we allow cracks in the wall, lizards will invade our home, we must all pull together as one people to discourage and resist any tendencies and actions, within or without, which pol­lute our business environments or encourages anarchy and in­stability in our region.”

https://www.akelicious.net/s-east-nass-caucus-to-interface-with-fg-others-over-nnamdi-kanu/

The Federal Government has again assured Nigerians that all issues that led to the suspension of activities of the popular microblogging platform, Twitter, will be sorted out soon.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, gave the assurance while fielding questions from State House correspondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Mohammed, who declined to give a specific timeline on when the suspension would be lifted, said the ongoing discussions between government and Twitter had been “productive” and “respective
Asked on the latest on the Twitter ban in the country as he had promised on August 11 that the ban would be lifted very soon, the minister said: “I think even Twitter itself two days ago gave what I will call a progress report on our talks with them, and I think if I want to quote them rightly, it has been productive and quite respectful.
“And as to the qualifying, when, how soon is soon, right? I want to assure you that the time that Twitter operation has been suspended, between the time it has been suspended, and when it will be restored is by far, much, much shorter.
“In other words, if the operation has been suspended for about 100 days now, I can tell that we’re just actually talking about a few, just a few more days now.
“What we’re trying to do is the changes that have been going on, but we need to dot the i’s and cross the t’s, but I can assure us that we’re not mindful of the anxiety of Nigerians and both parties are working very hard to put a closure on the matter.
“And like Twitter itself said the changes have been very, very productive on both parties. It has not been advisory at all. And it’s quite respectful. Thank you very much.”
When asked further to be specific on when the matter would be resolved, Mohammed said: “Honestly, we have gone very far, I won’t be specific, but we have gone very far, and honestly, it’s just going to be very, very soon, just take my word for that.
“Honestly, I can’t be more specific than what I’ve told you that it is going to be very soon.”
The federal government had said the microblogging platform was suspended because it provided an avenue for people threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria.
Mohammed had Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter, helped to fund the recent #EndSARS protest while allowing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to use the platform to call for the killing of policemen.
Mohammed had on June 9 listed conditions that must be met by Twitter, including that it must now be registered in Nigeria as a business concern.
There are reports that Nigeria has lost at least $360 million over the Twitter ban.

https://www.akelicious.net/well-lift-twitter-suspension-in-a-few-days-fg/

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has appointed media magnate, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke as new members of its Board of Trustees.

Other appointees are Ferdinand Alabraba, Esther Uduehi and Remi Kuku.
Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/breaking-dokpesi-duke-3-others-join-pdp-board-of-trustees/

Reasons behind the absence of former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha during last Thursday’s Presidential visit to the state have been known.

President Muhammadu Buhari last week paid a one day visit to Imo State where he commissioned projects.

While crème de la creme of the political class, especially those from the state and beyond were available, Okorocha was conspicuously absent.

The former governor, it would be recalled was not only one of those who joined Buhari to form the APC but while trying to market him to the public for the 2015 Presidential election baptized and named him Okechukwu during one of the campaign visits to the state in 2015.

Trumpeta noticed that Okorocha’s absence was glaring during the airport reception, commissioning of projects and stakeholders meeting in Owerri.

According to a report Trumpeta obtained online, the former governor was quoted to have kept away based on the allegation that he was not invited to be part of the event.

Even as some of his lieutenants who are of the National Assembly were spotted during the visit, Okorocha who is also of the APC didn’t show up.

The media aide was said to have disclosed that Okorocha was not invited. He went further to accuse the state government of playing politics of hate, vendetta and intolerance.

Despite the fact that Okorocha heralded the President’s visit with a press release, the aide stated that;

“The personal life style of somebody is different from how you behave when you become governor.

Okorocha was not invited even when he welcomed the President on Wednesday”.

Trumpeta noticed that there has been a cold war between the former governor and his successor, Senator Hope Uzodinma following the desire of the latter to probe activities of former’s tenure while in office.

Another factor that is suspected to be causing friction is the battle for the soul of Imo APC.

https://www.akelicious.net/why-i-shunned-buharis-visit-to-imo-state-okorocha/

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has reacted to comments surrounding President Buhari's recent visit to Owerri in Imo state. Adesina reacted during his interview with Ruben Abati on Arise News.

The Presidential aide stated that President Buhari is the Ogbuagu 1 of Aba, and a traditional Chief in some other Southeastern States.
You may recall that President Muhammadu Buhari recently visited Imo State to commission some infrastructural projects in the State. During his visit to Imo State, the President was received by stakeholders and prominent groups in the South-East region. Presidential aide, Femi Adesina, has since responded to comments trailing the visit.
Speaking during a recent interview, Femi Adesina said, "The President was invited by the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, to visit and the President obliged. As for people saying the President was not welcomed in the South-East, who dare say that an elected President is not welcomed in any part of the country that elected him? Did they forget that the President fought for the unity of Nigeria?"
Responding further, Adesina added, "The President is the Ogbuagu 1 of Aba in the South-East. Ogbuagu means the 'Loin Killer'. How can you tell a chief not to visit a part of an area where he is a local chief? President Buhari is a traditional Chief in Aba, Ebonyi and Enugu. How then can anyone say the President can not come to a region where he holds titles? He is an elected President, and he was not appointed."

https://www.akelicious.net/president-buhari-is-a-traditional-chief-of-some-states-in-the-s-east-femi-adesina/

Shehu Sani Says many Members will Run If Buhari Allows First lady to Reshuffle the Cabinet

The former Senator of Kaduna state, Shehu Sani, has revealed something about the present cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari. In his tweet on Twitter today, the former Senator made mention of what will happen if the President ever gives the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, the opportunity to work on his cabinet.
Shehu Sani said if the President should allow his wife which is the First lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari, to reshuffle the present cabinet, many of the members will run away before she wakes up the following day.
https://www.akelicious.net/shehu-sani-says-many-members-will-run-if-buhari-allows-first-lady-to-reshuffle-the-cabinet/

Residents of Anambra state have disobeyed Governor Willy Obiano’s instruction to ignore the imposed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, sit-at-home order and remained in their various homes today.

Obiano’s instruction is complicated with torrential rainfall which has continued in almost every state in the South east, including Anambra state.

A resident in the state, Mr. Okechukwu Anieto told PressMan that even those who would have obeyed the Governor’s threat were deterred by the rainfall.

Anieto wondered how the Governor will pull people out from their homes amid fears of insecurity for violators of IPOB order.

Obiano had threatened to seal banks and punish market and motor-park leaders who will dare stay at home on Mondays or any day so declared by IPOB.

He directed banks, markets and motor parks in the state to be in operation on Monday.

The governor, who said the sit-at-home compliance adversely affected the Gross Domestic Product and the general economy of the state, maintained that banks that failed to open on such days would be sealed for a week, adding that if such banks refused to open subsequently, they would be permanently closed.

Addressing transport leaders at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, on Sunday the governor cautioned against further adherence to the order which he said had become inimical to the state.

He said, “I urged the commuters to feel free to ply their usual routes across the state on Monday, whether they ride or drive motorcycles, keke, shuttle, buses.

“If markets don’t open, I will sack the leadership of the market. If the market and park leaders don’t comply, their leadership will be changed within two weeks.”

https://www.akelicious.net/rainfall-complicates-obianos-threat-against-ipob-sit-at-home-order/

Some youths said to be smugglers have reportedly killed an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Ogun State.

The New National Star Correspondent gathered that the incident happened on Saturday at Owode, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun, causing crisis in the town.

Owode is about 20km to Idiroko, the Nigerian border with the Benin Republic.

The smugglers were said to have attacked the Customs Officer during the seizure of their smuggled bags of foreign rice.

It was learnt that the slain officer was a driver of one of the patrol vehicles of Zone ‘A’ of the Federal Operating Unit of the NCS.

The FOU had intercepted the smuggled goods Saturday night, thereby incurring the anger of the smugglers, who in reaction, mobilize to the scene to prevent the seizure.

They were said to have shot at the officer while fixing one of the two vehicles conveying the seized smuggled rice, which broke down, following a mechanical fault.

The spokesman of Customs Zonal Federal Operational Unit, Theophilus Duniya, has confirmed the incident to newsmen on Sunday.

Duniya explained that the smugglers, who were armed with dangerous weapons and charms, mobilized themselves in large numbers and attacked the Officer and killed him.

He added that the lifeless body of the officer had been deposited in a morgue.

https://www.akelicious.net/smuggler-reportedly-kills-custom-officer-in-ogun/

A saying goes thus "a great captain is not known by sailing on a swimming pool but in a turbulent ocean".

In the year 2015 at a very difficult time in the history of our Nation when the Nigeria's economy nosedived into one of the worst recessions in our history, a leader His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi emerged as the newly elected Governor of Enugu State, saddled with the enormous responsibility to lead the people of Enugu State.

During his 2015 Inaugural speech, he expressed his firm belief that the God who fed the Five Thousand People with just five loaves of bread and two fishes will also help him during this difficult times.

Meanwhile the people's expectations of results are often far more than the resources available to the State. Considering the very lean resources available, it will indeed take the divine help to miraculously meet the expectations of the people. Hence he committed Enugu State into the hands of God.

Today, the overwhelming success of his Administration has strongly proven not only his excellent Leadership qualities but also the help of God in piloting the affairs of our dear State.

> The Prompt and consistent payment of salaries to the State Civil Servants

> The construction of good access roads, especially at the rural areas.

> The continuous peace and security in the State given his leadership style as well as swift and strategic approach to tackling security challenges. These and many more he has been able to achieve seemingly effortlessly.

This great ability to successfully navigate through the difficult times is a clear proof of his unequalled leadership.

I personally believe that such a great leadership skill is what our country Nigeria needs come 2023, and therefore hopes that His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi will yield to the growing requests of Nigerians who are calling on him to run for the 2023 Presidential election.

*Obioma Nnamani is a Leadership Expert, a former Governorship Candidate, former National President of Patriotic Youth Vanguard of Nigeria (PYVAN), former Enugu State Chairman of Peoples Party of Nigeria, former Secretary Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Enugu State and Central Coordinator Ogbako Ndi Nkanu*

Minister unveils Top Social Innovations in Health, canvasses private sector support

Seeking to create an enabling environment for social innovation through increasing evidence and its uptake as well as fostering collaboration across all stakeholders while encouraging a culture of Nigerians solving their health challenges using the Nigerian formula, formed the fulcrum of conversations at the unveiling of top social innovation in Abuja on Monday.

Performing the unveiling ceremony, the minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu expressed delight at the development and promised that the ministry will provide the needed support and collaboration to enable the initiative to be successful.

The event was put together by Social Innovation in Health (SIHI), Nigeria hub, a branch of the SIHI global network, a World Health Organization (WHO)project with multiple international partners domiciled in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

Dr Onu stressed that the innovation offers a beacon of light as it showcases the potentials of the country to discover innovative ways of solving societal problems, especially in the health sector. He assured that the ministry under his watch, is committed to work for the success of any effort that will make the nation”s economy knowledge based and innovative driven, adding ”we will continue to support you as you encourage creativity and innovation among our people”.

He expressed delight that Nigeria is one of the few African countries to hostage SIHI hub.

He further stated that ” the top three social innovations in health that have emerged from the various selection stages put in place by SIHI Nigeria in collaboration with the FMSTI are remarkable because they are all home-grown solutions. When further developed, this could contribute immensely to improved health care delivery in the country as well as export to the rest of the world.

He paid tribute to the ingenuity, creativity, inventiveness and resourcefulness of Nigeria saying ”We have shown that we have the capacity to find solutions to many of our problems. We can no longer allow people in other countries to provide solutions to our problems. We have all that it takes to have home-grown solutions for our problems.

The time has come for us to start producing locally, many of the things that we import into the country, declaring ” we have the men, we have the women and we have the materials to get it done. This is the best way to build a self-reliant and great nation that can create enough job for the citizens, fight and defeat poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy as well as create wealth for both the people and the nation. This is exactly what SIHI Nigeria hub at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and all the outstanding innovators here want to achieve,” the minister concludes.

The unveiling ceremony featured presentation of goodwill messages from stakeholders. Senator Uche Ekwunife who is the senate committee chairman on Science, Technology and Innovation commended the initiative and charged the team to make it work.

She advised the government and stakeholders in the health sector to make primary health care a priority and ensure that health care cents are workable even as she noted that the essence of governance is for Nigerians to gain from government programs and innovations.

Others who presented goodwill messages include, the Director-General, NIPRD, Dr Obi Adigwe, Vice Chancellor, Nile University, president, Nigeria Academy of Science, Prof Eka Braide among others. Earlier in his address of welcome, the vice chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University,Prof Charles Esimone welcomed participants to the unveiling ceremony and expressed hope that it will achieve it set objectives.

It will be recalled that in April 2020, WHO awarded a grant to Nnamdi Azikiwe University and School of Public Health, University of Ghana (both new generation hubs) to collaborate with Makarere University (a first generation hub) to disseminate social innovation in health in Africa, to crowdsource for social innovation in health in the university and across the whole country.

To achieve this, the team is partnering with the ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and with other key health actors and innovators, non governmental organizations, public and private sectors in Nigeria through out the process of identifying and promoting social innovations in health.

The Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, on Friday, demolished illegal shops, container makeshift stalls and other sorts of artisan blockades that converted Abakpa streets into a trading hub.

The area mostly affected was Amuri road that stretched from Texaco bus stop, leading to NOWAS junction.

The agency said that the second phase of the demolition will include clearing of all makeshift tables, containers and illegal extensions along major streets of Abakpa that have turn the well planned estate into a food market slum.

ECTDA had in the past given quit notices to illegal occupants constituting nusiaances at different parts of the capital city such as in Abakpa, Emene, Uwani, Trans-Ekulu, Eke-Obinagu and some other places.

The agency had moved into New Market and sanitized the obstructions that had flown into the Enugu-onitsha road, same as it did at Eke-Obinagu on Thursday and has obtained court order to eject Kenyetta market traders from Uwani.

Responding on the reason for the Abakpa exercise, Chairman of ECTDA, Dr. Josef Onoh said: "Abakpa has become a slum and previous administrations in the state folded their arms and allowed the slum state to continue. The ugly situation has devalued properties in the area that residential houses and streets have now been converted into petty trading markets.

"In as much as we understand the Indigenous nature of the area, there is the Abakpa federal housing scheme and the indigenes have sold their birth rights that the whole place have now been converted to a market without adherence to the city plan or even a futuristic plan.

"A responsible government cannot continue to allow such degeneration where miscreants have taken advantage of the slum to create a high level of insecurity in Enugu, the capital territory.

"We should also note that during the EndSARS protest, Abakpa witnessed the most violent destruction because Abakpa habours most of the miscreants. So the demolition will continue until we sanitize Abakpa and free the streets that have now been converted to village markets."

Oha Izhi, the apex socio-cultural body in Izhi Nnodo Ekumaenyi Clan has through the Izhi Crisis Management Committee held mass burial service for her 117 people killed by the marauding herdsmen in Nduobashi and other villages of Ndiegu Ishieke Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area, the border part of Ebonyi State with its Benue counterpart.
The event held at Ndugo High School in Ndiegu Ishieke Community in the area on Wednesday 11th August, 2021 was officiated by the Chairman of Izhi Crisis Committee, Rev. Fr. Vincent Odom.
Fr. Odom who condoled the bereaved families for the loss of their lovely ones, advised them to put their trust in God, with courageousness in prayers, hardworking and stronger in unity while combating their challenges.
The Chairman expressed optimism that in no distant time, the people would recover from the condition, assuring them God's unstoppable intervention.

The Secretary of the expanded Izhi Crisis Management Committee, Dr Friday Nkwede with Rev. Fr. James Nwophoke, other Izhi priests and pastors who shared the pallatives to the victims, urged them to be security conscious and always take appropriate action to avert reoccurrence of this kind of incidence.

Interacting with newsmen, the General Secretary of Oha Izhi Nnodo, Dr John Nkwuda also advised the community people not to compromise working to change the negative implications of the ugly incident which resulted into losses of their lovely ones and worthwhile properties.

He however, pledged to sponsor four children, each from one of the four affected villages including Nduobashi, Odeke, Ekpuphu and Obakota to diploma level in his school, Model Institute of Health Technology in Iboko, Izhi Local Government Area of the state.
It could be recalled that the Publicity Secretary of Oha Izhi Nnodo, Apostle Benjamin Obaji, advocated for oneness, solidarity and peaceful co-existence among the people, charged them to utilize all advice given to them and work harder to assuage the unbearable losses by trusting God.

Apostle Obaji noted that over 117 people from the community were killed by the maurading herdsmen during their merciless attack on Sunday 30th May, 2021.


The Oha Izhi Spokesman also disclosed that "just a few out of over 92 injuried people from the community were still in the hospital, whereas others had returned home and equally honoured the event."


Other Executives of Oha Izhi and members of the committee, Chief Mrs Charity Ikebe and Prof Adaeze Nwuzor while speaking on behalf of the female folks, appreciated Oha Izhi, the state government, individuals and different groups who assisted the people at the time of the attack.





Nevertheless, the Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area, Chief Mrs Chinyere Nwogbaga, ably represented by the Coordinator Mbeke Development Centre, Hon Michael Njoku equally thanked the Committee for coming to the rescue of her council people.
Nwogbaga pledged her administration's continuous assistance to the people in order to overcome the scourges of the unfortunate attack.

While giving vote of thanks, the Town Union President of Ndiegu Ishieke Autonomous Community, Mr Joseph Nwidembia, appreciated the committee, the entire Izhi Nnodo clan and the government of Ebonyi State under the watch of Governor David Nweze Umahi for their prompt response and continuous assistance to the affected community by the herders' attack.

The Town President also called for government assistance to enable them to cope academically, health wise, have standard road network and above all, strong internal security outfit in the area.

The event attended by numerous members of the committee including Chief Boniface Ezzagu - First Vice Chairman Oha Izhi, Barr Chigozie Nwankwo - President Izhi Lawyers Forum, Prince Andrew Ekpe Nwiga - Assistant Secretary Oha Izhi Nnodo, Rev Dr Nicodemus Nwakpakpa, Hon. Solomon Uzoke - Secretariary Izhi Tehu Foundation, among others witnessed large turnout especially the beneficiaries from the community who applauded the gestures.

Akelicious reports that at least twelve million Naira (N12, 000, 000) raised by the illustrious sons and daughters of Izhi clans was disbursed to the affected people with clothes, food items and other materials to the victims of the herders' attack to cushion its effects by Izhi Crisis Management Committee under the umbrella of Oha Izhi Nnodo.

https://www.akelicious.net/ebonyi-border-oha-izhi-holds-mass-burial-service-for-117-killed-by-herdsmen-photos/

- Pledges To Work For The Greater Good Of Imolites


Accountability and transparency are the bedrock of every administration and leaders are expected to be accountable to those they lead and further make every process of their administration transparent as it will repose more trust in them.

It is unfortunate that most administrations in the past could not live up to this expectation while some State Governments are finding it difficult to grasp with these realities. It is against this backdrop, that Gov. Hope Uzodimma has continued to stand out from the rest by ensuring that his administration is in the forefront of upholding the principles of accountability and transparency and no doubt his administration is appreciated by all.

The Imo State Stakeholders meeting is another opportunity which Gov. Hope Uzodimma has keyed into to make open his administration successes and achievements in both human and capital developments in the State and leave the stakeholders as unbiased judges over his administration since they cut across different political divides.

It is remarkable that Gov. Hope Uzodimma during the recent stakeholders meeting recounted the achievements of his administration which is verifiable and made remarks on some areas that previous administrations in the State had left to rot and ruin but he has resuscitated.

While Imo State has been declared safe and secure, Gov. Hope Uzodimma has gone ahead to change the ugly narratives held unto about our roads, infrastructures, civil service, health, Education, industrialization, empowerment, etc. which are embedded in the 3R mantra initiative of his administration.

All these numerous achievements of Gov. Hope Uzodimma are a clear pointer that he has been judiciously using the meager resources at his disposal to work for Ndi-Imo and this has further shown that indeed he is a leader whose stock-in-trade is accountability and transparency.

Ndi-Imo are blessed for having a leader and a Governor in the person of Sen. Hope Uzodimma who has come not to enrich himself but to share prosperity to all and sundry.

https://www.akelicious.net/gov-hope-uzodimma-gives-account-of-his-administration/

... NDDC staff arrested by FIRS

... FG owes NDDC over N1.8 trillion

There are clear indications that the recent seal-up of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) offices in Port Harcourt by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) may be linked to powerful forces who do not want the forensic audit report to see the light of day.

Highly placed sources in the Commission said the action “is part of a long running campaign to bring NDDC to its knees, unless the wish of these powerful forces to change the leadership of the Commission is heeded.

This is the second time the NDDC offices in Niger Delta are being sealed within the past six weeks. Our correspondent was informed that “in the past two years, there has been a long-running battle for the control of the soul and finances of this intervention Agency, in spite of efforts by Federal Government to clean-up the Agency to be able to deliver on its mandate to develop the Niger Delta region.”

Sources within the Commission claim that the FIRS did not give the agency prior notice of their action and were reported to have arrested staff of NDDC who demanded to know why the FIRS operatives were sealing up the Commission’s premises.

"This action by the Federal Inland Revenue Service is intended to cripple the Commission, at a time when the forensic audit is being concluded and the final report prepared,” one of the sources complained, adding: "The timing is very suspicious.”

He continued: "We have been under siege for a while now. The efforts by the Federal Government to root out corruption in this place and ensure that we can serve the people of the Niger Delta diligently are been frustrated by powerful forces. They are using all forms of tactics to cripple our operations, in order to control the Commission for political purposes. Nigerians need to know the truth.”

A source in FIRS stated that the NDDC is owing the service about twenty six billion Naira and that has necessitated their action.

However, another source in the Commission stated that this figure is from over eighteen years. He said: “The failure of the Commission to meet its obligations in all areas is one of the reasons why President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the forensic audit in the first place. This is part of the rot Buhari is fighting against, and the report of the forensic audit will help the Commission stand strong, to deliver on its mandate.

"In the past 20 years, the Federal Government’s indebtedness to NDDC has risen to over 1.8tr Naira. We have not gone to challenge the Government the way this people have come to seal-up our offices. This money they are claiming was not run-up by this administration in NDDC, but accumulated over 18 years. In the past two years, monies owed to NDDC have been mostly withheld by the Government. Let me also inform you that the statutory contribution from the oil industry has not been received since this year.

"How do we operate in the circumstances? NDDC is under siege and this is part of a continued campaign to either cripple it or take it over by these powerful forces," he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/nddc-seal-up-tied-to-forces-against-forensic-audit-photos/