₦airaland Forum

3rd Oil Rig bridge to open soon as construction near 95%


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m42Q1FtxsZ4

A SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, CHIEF WILLIE OBIANO AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE 2019 BUDGET ESTIMATE TO THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

Protocol

Your Excellency, the Deputy Governor,

The Honourable Speaker, Honourable Deputy Speaker,

Principal Officers of the House and other Honourable

Members of the Anambra State House of Assembly,

The Chief Judge of Anambra State,

The Secretary to the State Government,

The Chief of Staff,

The Head of Service,

Honourable Commissioners,

Special Advisers to the Governor,

The Clerk of the House,

Permanent Secretaries,

Principal Officers

Senior Special Assistants to the Governor,

Special Assistants to the Governor,

Members of the Press,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning everyone.

1. With great humility, I stand before you today, to present my administration’s Draft Estimate and Roadmap for the 2019 Fiscal Year.

2. Madam Speaker and Honourable Lawmakers, the 2018 Budget offered us a great opportunity to distil the promise of my Economic Blueprint further in pursuit of a better Anambra State. And I am happy to report that even in the face of adversity, we remained firmly focused on our goals. We stayed true to our Vision of making Anambra State the First Choice Investment Destination and a hub for industrialization and commercial activities. We also kept to our Mission of making Anambra State a socially stable, business-friendly environment that would attract both indigenes and foreigners to seek wealth-creating opportunities.

A REVIEW OF THE 2018 FISCAL YEAR

3. Madam Speaker and Honourable Lawmakers, the outgoing year 2018 is a watershed in the history of Anambra State and more so in the life of my administration. My Team and I were sworn in for our Second Term in office after a historic re-election that has become a landmark in the political narrative of Nigeria. And immediately after the ceremonies, we settled down to the brass task of providing effective leadership for Ndi Anambra.

4. Indeed, 2018 has also been a remarkable year for the country. It is no longer in doubt that Nigeria has come out of the economic recession that ravaged her from 2016. Studies show that the Nigerian Economy has continued to recover from the recession with the annual GDP Growth Rate moving from -1.5 in 2016 to 0.8% in 2017 and 1.5% in 2018. Similarly, the GDP of our dear State, Anambra has continued to grow exponentially in comparison to that of the country moving from 1% in 2017 at 3.8 trillion to 6% at 4.02 trillion in 2018. This is not surprising, however. Under my watch, Anambra has become the fourth largest economy in Nigeria.

5. Sadly, Madam Speaker and Hon Lawmakers, Nigeria may have come out of recession but it hasn’t come out of its many domestic challenges. Boko Haram remains a potent threat to the peace and security of this country and a huge discouragement to meaningful investments.

6. The colossal loss of human lives caused by the endless clashes between herdsmen and farmers made global headlines and marked Nigeria out as one of the most unsafe places in the world. It cost Nigeria a great deal in investment and goodwill and heightened mutual suspicion among ethnic and religious groups.

7. The twin threats of Boko Haram in the North East and Herdsmen-Farmers Clashes in the North Central have continued to cast a huge shadow over Nigeria and send a negative signal about the country to the world. This has had adverse effects on the economy.

8. Torrential flooding swept across coastal communities, submerging huge investments and sweeping away farms and diverse income sources.

9. But in the middle of all the doom and gloom, our country took a bold step into the sunrise when Mr. President commissioned the highly impressive Abuja-Kaduna Light Rail Project in July. It was a symbolic initiative that demonstrates Nigeria’s bold resolve to shake off her many problems and march forward into a bright new day.

The Anambra Scenario

10. Madam Speaker and Hon Lawmakers, the year under review is a milestone for Anambra State. It is the year in which our dear state finally lived out the full meaning of its name as “Light of the Nation” on the world stage. Yes, five school girls from Regina Pacis Model Secondary School took the world by storm when they swept aside advanced countries like the US, China, Spain, Turkey and Uzbekistan to win the Gold Medal at the World Technovation Challenge in San Francisco, USA. Adaeze Onuigbo, Vivian Okoye, Promise Nnalue, Nwabuaku Ossai and Jessica Osita of Regina Pacis Model Secondary School Onitsha have justified our massive investments in Education and other efforts to turn our schools into models of excellence. It is something for an African team to win medals in sports and the arts, but it is something extraordinary for a group of girls from Nigeria (not South Africa, mark you) to defeat the USA, China, Spain and Turkey in a science and innovation contest.

11. We also demonstrated to the world that the performance of the Golden Girls is a product of careful planning and solid investments when our own Amala Ezenwa, a Primary 4 Head Teacher from Awada won the overall Best School Administrator in Nigeria during the period under review. Ezenwa’s success is a clear proof that Anambra has done a great deal of work in foundational education to ensure sustainability in the excellent performance of our children in all academic competitions. In the period under review, we donated the sum of N211,168,125 to the Catholic Church and N145,968,750 to the Anglican Church for interventions in mission schools in the State. We shall do more in the next fiscal year.

12. Madam Speaker and Hon Lawmakers, my administration demonstrated a great capacity to manage crisis this year when torrential flooding submerged a large portion of Anambra North. We rose to our full height to forestall what would have been a large scale disaster. Our timely response and swift deployment of rescue and relief efforts to affected areas made a world of difference.

13. In spite of threats to break our resolve, my administration maintained a firm handle on the security situation in the state to ensure that Anambra is not displaced as Nigeria’s safest state. Our courageous decision to outlaw commercial motorcyclists in Onitsha and Awka quickly put a strong check on petty crimes in these cities and guaranteed safety for the masses.

14. And shortly after my inauguration, we donated 40 patrol trucks to security agencies to tighten our efforts a little and 50 motor cycles to the Special Motorbike Squad to mop up petty criminals. Similarly, our visionary Cattle Menace Committee ensured that Anambra did not fall victim to the widening circle of violence unleashed by the clashes between herdsmen and farmers. We have succeeded in bringing crime under our heels in Anambra State and we shall keep it like this by the Grace of God.

15. Despite the fact that Nigeria has exited recession, we have continued to implement the Economic Stimulus Package which was designed to reflate our sub-national economy and put more money in the hands of our people during the recessive period. We have doubled the N20m Choose-your-Project initiative and many communities have completed the projects they chose in the second phase of the project. 40 new communities have already applied for the 3rd Phase of the projects.

16. Madam Speaker, Agriculture remains a major pillar of my administration. I am delighted to report once again that in spite of the menace of flood which washed most of our coastal communities away and swallowed hectares of farmland, major performance indicators point to a positive growth in the 2018 planting season. For instance, our efforts to make more people embrace farming yielded an impressive result. Over one thousand new farmers were duly registered within the period to bring the number from 109,137 in 2017 to 110,144 farmers. Similarly, Rice production rose from 345,000 metric tons in 2017 and currently stands at 440,000 metric tons. Cassava production shot up from 1,792,596 in 2016 to 1,881,589 metric tons in 2017 while Maize production increased from 39,902 to 43,521 metric tons in the last planting season. Land utilization also increased in the period under review due to the influx of more people into agriculture.

17. Madam Speaker and Hon Legislators, our passionate drive for improved infrastructure found great expression with the Light-up Anambra Campaign. Under this initiative, we have lit up over 500 kilometers of roads across the state and extended rural electricity to 5 local government areas including Orumba North and South, Anambra East and West and Ayamelum. We also extended 33KVA lines from Awada to Nnewi North at a cost of N1.8bn to boost power supply to Nnewi which is an industrial hub. We have also rehabilitated over 100 moribund rural and small town water schemes and are currently intervening in 60 projects across vulnerable and poor communities in the State.

18. Madam Speaker and Honourable Lawmakers, I am proud to report to Ndi Anambra once again that my administration did not drop the ball in the construction of roads and bridges in the outgoing fiscal year. Having made it clear at the onset of this administration that I was interested in building roads that would have economic importance, we targeted the completion of 40 roads before the rainy season made road construction impossible and almost surpassed our target. I personally supervised the placing of beams on the Umueje Bridge in Ayamelum Local Government Area and the Nengo River Bridge in Nteje. I am happy to report that we have achieved the construction of a total of 300 km of roads spread across the 21 LGAs in the State.

19. Madam Speaker and Honourable Lawmakers, I am also delighted to report here that we set up the Project Management and Monitoring Office in April 2018 and through this agency, we have achieved a continuous data collection of the status of all projects in MDAs. I am happy to announce that the PMMO has saved the State Government the sum of N468,654,956 in variance on Contractors’ claims in certificates through a rigorous evaluation of claims before payment. It has also saved us over N400m from vetting alone.

20. Madam Speaker, I am happy to announce that after a protracted delay that lasted for one year, the Anambra Airport City Project finally got underway. The special drone brought in for the aerial survey of the project was seized by the Nigerian Customs in November 2017 and only released last week. The seizure had halted the speed with which the project had taken off with ground survey and sent the wrong signal about the authenticity of the project. But to the glory of God, the drone has been released and quickly put to use on the location by the Chinese. The aerial survey has been completed and we await the next phase of the implementation of the construction plan of the project. We have earmarked the sum of N1bn in commitment funds to ensure that the project is executed to the letter. I have no doubt that the Airport City Project will unlock the economic growth of the South East region and position Anambra State as the leading hub in the aviation industry in Africa.

21. My administration also facilitated the full digitization of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), making it the most technologically advanced TV and Radio station in West Africa this year. ABS will be the first broadcast station to move from analogue to digital broadcasting once the National Broadcasting Commission begins the third phase of digital switch-over. We have opened negotiations with Multichoice Limited in Lagos for the addition of ABS to the DSTV platform. Broadcasting on the DSTV platform will make the station more competitive, as it will be the first TV station in the South East to be included on this platform. Consequently, ABS is undergoing transformation in the Editorial and Programmes Departments, including the procurement of state of the art cameras and materials for the editing and production suite of the Film and Video Censorship Department of the Ministry of Information & Public Enlightenment.

22. Madam Speaker and Hon Legislators, if we cast our minds back to when this administration started five years ago, I assured Ndi Anambra that my philosophy would be ana alu olu, ana alu mmadu! Madam Speaker, I have kept my promise. Even in the midst of extremities, we have never failed to pay salaries on time. We have also never failed to celebrate Christmas with bags of rice for workers. Pensions have been paid to our senior citizens and recently, the State Civil Service Commission conducted and successfully released the 2016 promotions for civil servants, covering senior management officers, senior officers and junior officers. Promotions are landmark events in the service, demanding huge financial outlay on the part of the Government, and salary increments for the deserving officers. Several State Governments across the Federation shy away from promotion exercises, so as to conserve funds but our story is different in Anambra State.

23. Indeed, we have continued to remind Ndi Anambra in more ways than one that this administration is all about the people, including women and children. To this effect, we have inaugurated the State Steering Committee on Child Labor in a bid to tackle the hydra-headed monster of child labor and trafficking. There has also been increase in awareness creation on the dangers of child labor, abuse & trafficking. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has in collaboration with Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) trained and empowered more than 4000 people on different skills. It has also provided psycho-socio support to more than 4800 orphans and vulnerable children across the 21 LGAs.

24. Madam Speaker and Honourable Lawmakers, at the middle of 2018, we had achieved a recurrent expenditure budget performance rate of approximately 55% while our capital expenditure budget performance stood at approximately 50% mainly due to the delay caused by the flood. This led to an aggregate half year budget performance of 52%. However, I expect our overall budget performance to improve to approximately 75-80% by the end of the current fiscal year.

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Woman Barber Makes Waves In Awka South

There are some sights that are not so common in this part of the world. What would you say if you see a young lady working as a bus conductor, or palm wine tapper, or more so, a barber.

Our Correspondent, Ejike Abana came in touch with a young lady who works as a barber in Nodu, Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area.

For many young girls, hair cutting as a business is not an option. Call it Christmas hustle or not, young Miss Ifeyinwa Ogueli, an undergraduate of History and International Relations at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, is enjoying high patronage and making significant income as a female barber.

According to Miss Ogueli who hails from Umunachi, Dunukofia Council Area, growing up in the midst of her brothers as the only girl in the family, fueled her passion for that line of business.

She, however, frowned at the attitude of some male customers who refused to allow her cut their hair assuring that she has a magic touch.

She emphasized that anybody can do any job, irrespective of gender, and asked young people, especially ladies to develop themselves by acquiring any skill they can, as it may turn out to be very useful in future.
One of her customers, Mr. John Okoyeb noted Miss Ogueli does her job professionally more than most male barbers as her hands are soft.

Men, how will you feel having a woman give you a haircut?

Mrs Obiano Hosts Children To Christmas Party

It was a fanfare of red, gleamy white and colourful Christmas as over one thousand children turned up for the 2018 Christmas party hosted by Wife of the Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano, at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.

The Christmas party is an annual ceremony by the Governor’s Wife, to light up the season and usher the Anambra children into the grand occasion of the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

It was a unique aura, spiced up by memorable renditions by the famous Queen Theresa Onuorah and her legendary Original Egedege Africa.



The children, seemingly overwhelmed by the charms and colours of different displays, could not have asked for a grander way to anticipate the less-than-seventy-two-hours, twenty-eighteen Christmas Day.

In her remarks, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Barrister Rita Maduagwu, made a virtual connection between the electric displays on the occasion and Christmas light ups across the state.

The Commissioner for Social Welfare, Children and Women, Lady Ndidi Mezue, said the Governor’s Wife has, through the annual occasion has given the Anambra children a feel of motherly love.

For the state APGA Woman Leader, Lady Chinyere Ibenta, the ceremony exemplifies the biblical injunction of love for children, an injunction that has remained the beacon of Mrs. Obiano’s social
relations.

The participating children, obviously elated, applauded the convener of the Christmas party, for availing them a memorable way to herald the Christmas celebration.

Don’t be Afraid of Ubiquitous Helicopters and Armoured Vehicles.

Statement by the Anambra State Commissioner for information & Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, on new measures which the state government has adopted to boost peace and security


1. To make Anambra remain the safest and most peaceful state in Nigeria which will help realize the vision to make it the foremost investment destination in the country, the Anambra State government is increasing its air surveillance during the Christmas and New Year period.

2. Helicopters to patrol all parts of the state are being deployed. The helicopters will sometimes fly at low altitudes. This is to enable the pilots and other security agents flying with them to have a bird’s eye view of the security situation in every place.

3. They will monitor the movement of individuals and even cattle. They will also monitor vehicular traffic. They will provide reports constantly to appropriate agencies for prompt action.

4. The state government, therefore, urges the people of Anambra State and individuals and groups passing through the state not to panic or be afraid. The ubiquitous presence of helicopters is for their benefit.

5. The helicopters are the latest in a series of far-reaching measures which the Willie Obiano administration has adopted to make the Christmas and New Year celebrations most rewarding for our people, as they travel in their millions from all parts of the world to their homeland, often accompanied by friends and well wishers.

6. For instance, the state has in the last one week seen a large number of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) operated by specially trained officers of the Nigeria Police Force. The APCs are deployed to the streets of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi. They work side by side with well-manned security vans and cars which are well equipped.

7. The government also wishes to inform all Ndi Anambra that it has about to start the installation of the most advanced Closed-circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in the world in the three leading cities in the state. The installation will be in conjunction with the Boston Innovation Centre in Massachusetts, United States. The agreement for the supply of the special CCTVs and the subsequent installation was signed between the Boston Innovation centre and the Anambra State government when Governor Obiano visited the United States last October to see for himself how our state could benefit more from advanced research and innovation, for which Massachusetts is world famous.

8. After the pilot scheme in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi, the sophisticated CCTV cameras will be installed in other parts of the state. The devices will assist Ndi Anambra secure important public assets like electric facilities which are vandalized from time to time. The task to reposition Anambra in the international community has started in earnest, and Ndi Anambra are enjoined to continue to support the state administration as they have always done admirably.

9. As we join the rest of Christendom to mark the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ and to observe the beginning of a new year, Ndi Anambra should not panic at the unusual presence of helicopters, APCs, security vans and cars as well as state of the art CCTV cameras because they are being deployed for their benefit.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.



Signed



C. Don Adinuba

Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment.

Road Construction: Obiano Directs Contractors To Cancel Christmas Break

Governor Willie Obiano has directed all contractors handling road projects in the state to cancel their Christmas break, so as to cover more grounds in their road work.

The Commissioner for Works Engineer Marcel Ifejiofor made this known while inspecting road projects across Anambra South Senatorial district.

The roads inspected by Commissioner Ifejiofor and his team were a twenty one point two five kilometres Ogbunka- Ajali-Ufuma-Nawfija road, a three point five kilometres Agba-Ekwulobia-Ikenga road, a four point eight kilometre Nnamdi Azikiwe University College of Health Sciences Okofia road Nnewi.

Others were, a seven kilometres Eziala-Ihuonwere-Orsumoghu road as well as an eleven point six kilometres Isseke-Mbosi-Azia-Ukpor road.



According to Engineer Ifejiofor, Governor Obiano’s directive is to ensure that work is moving in earnest in all the roads in the state.

The Commissioner said the Governor is desirous of seeing Ndi Anambra and other residents of the state enjoy adequate security and peace in the state.

The Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the level of work done by the contractors handling all the roads visited and urged them to always adhere to the specifications and standards as government will not hesitate to reprimand any contractor that defaulted, even as he appealed to the residents of the state not to burn tyres or construct unnecessary pumps on the roads in order not to shorten it’s life span.

The Project Manager handling the Ogbunka Ajali Ufuma Nawfija road Mr Freddy Klein and his counterpart handling the Nnamdi Azikiwe College of Health Sciences Okofia road Nnewi, Jackson Mercy-Ofije assured that they will not compromise standard and will deliver their job on time.

The President General of Azia Chief Ken Mmaduakor and an Indegine of Orsumoghu Engineer Emeka Okoye thanked Governor Willie Obiano for his good works in the state.

44 Youths Benefit From International Breweries Hero’s Kick Start Entrepreneurship Empowerment Programme

Governor Willie Obiano says his administration would continue to equip bridge youths to increase productivity through entrepreneurial training and empowerments for an ideal society.

The Governor stated this during the third edition of the International Breweries Hero’s Foundation Kick start Award Ceremony held in Onitsha.

Governor Obiano represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke while positing that the progress of the state lies in the hands of the youths, restated the commitment of the administration to making them capable and productively efficient for the greater good and development of the state.

Describing youths in the state as talented, Governor Obiano disclosed that his government has since inception through the Ministry of Youths Development and Creative Economy awarded grant worth of over three million naira to sixty-four youths to startup businesses of their choice, promising to do more.



The Governor commended the International Breweries PLC for remaining committed to youth’s development despite the present economic condition of the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, International Breweries Hero’s Foundation and the Traditional Ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe who described youths as the future hope of the country, said the award is part of the Organization’s contributions towards developing the culture of entrepreneurship, and curbing unemployment, crime and criminality amongst young people in the country.

He noted that about sixty-four youths have previously benefited from the scheme and advised the beneficiaries who are forty four in number to judiciously manage the fund given them as they would be closely monitored.

On the overview of the 2018 evaluation process and successful entries, the Chairman Panel of Judges for the award, Professor Ben Osisioma represented by Lady Ngozika Okoye while assuring that transparency was followed in the selection of the winners, said that the panel considered the sustainability, viability, impact and location of the business ideas submitted by the applicants during selection of the awardees.

This year’s awardees were drawn from Abia, Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Benue, Edo, and Rivers states.

The event featured presentation of cheques to the respective winners.

UNIZIK VC BAGS EXCELLENCE AWARD IN CHINA

In recognition of his sterling disposition to the growth of the Confucius Institute (CI) in the University and in Nigeria, the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Joseph E. Ahaneku, FAS was recently honored in China with the Global Individual Excellence award.
The award was presented to the Vice-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Board of Confucius Institute in the University at the 13th Confucius Institute Conference in Chengdu, China.

It would be recalled that owing to its excellent performance in Chinese teaching, HSK tests, student employment, scholarships, Chinese Proficiency competitions, cultural activities and many other aspects, the Confucius Institute in the University had won the honorable title of “Advanced Confucius Institute” twice in 2015 and 2017.

The Vice-Chancellor was chosen this year as the model University administrator under the Global Individual Excellence Award.
In an interview with UNIZIK Bulletin Crew in his office, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the Confucius Institute Headquarters in China had assessed the University’s CI and reached the decision that the University had propelled the Institute and encouraged growth in the areas of the teaching and learning of the language, culture and other opportunities and deemed it fit to honor him.

According to Prof. Ahaneku, “This is a way of urging our CI to grow further than where we are now. In the past, we received the CI of the year award in 2015 and 2017. This time, they have recognized my special contribution from the time when I was made the Director of the Institute up to the time I emerged the Chairman of the Board”. The Vice-Chancellor expressed his gratitude to the staff and workers at the institute for their diligence and active participation. According to him, “Through diligence and hard work, we have been able to showcase our performance to the wider world”. We are one of the best CIs in the world. More than 700 Nigerians that have accessed scholarship in China to advance their knowledge are from this our centre”.

He further appreciated the Chinese Government for extending the hand of fellowship and goodwill to Nigeria and equally thanked members of the board for actively performing their work. According to him, the award is a testimony of the collective performance of CI Board and staff of the CI.

Buhari @ 76: Igbo Group Drums Support For Buhari`s Re-election


An independent network of Ndi Igbo, One-On-One Nigeria determined to achieve Igbo Presidency by returning president Muhammadu Buhari for second term has reiterated their commitment to achieve their objective through massive awareness campaign to convince Ndi Igbo that four years of president Buhari is better than eight years of any other person.

This was contained in an address by the national leader of One-on-One Nigeria, Chido Obidiegwu during a World Press Conference in honour of president Buhari on his 76th Birthday at NUJ Press Center Awka, on Monday December 17, 2018.

Obidiegwu going through memory lane lamented that Ndi Igbo are still being perceived as outcast by successive military and civilian governments years after the civil war despite the `no victor no vanquished` mantra.

“General Gowon and successive military heads of state – Olusegun Obasanjo and Murtala Mohammed did little to address the anomaly.

"Government Policies of those years were seen to be geared towards furtherance of the strangulation of the Igbos”, he said.

He however thanked Mr President for his wisdom and magnanimity in addressing Igbo's most pressing needs despite not supporting or voting for him in 2015.

“President Buhari in his magnanimity began serious work on the long abandoned 2nd Niger Bridge, the long abandoned Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Zik`s Mausoleum, Ariaaria Market Independent Power Project, Aba etc. These, among other projects yearned for over 16 years now and could only be realized under President Muhammadu Buhari”, noted Obidiegwu.

“These and other national socio-economic and political interventions have also endeared him to well meaning compatriots, hence the tacit support by One-on-One Nigeria for president Buhari`s 2nd Term and as a vehicle of achieving Igbo Presidency come 2023”, he said.

It would be recall that the group had paid a courtesy call on president Buhari where they intimated him on their plans which he positively acknowledged.

Governor Willie Obiano felicitates with the Traditional Ruler of Ukwulu, Igwe Peter Uyanwa as he marks his First Ofala festival.

FACTS BEHIND THE NEDG/BON EXCLUSION OF APGA FROM THE 2019 PRESIDENTIAL/VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES

It is important to draw the attention of millions of our members and supporters across the country to the facts behind the exclusion of our presidential/vice-presidential candidates from the debates organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group(NEDG) and Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) recently.

In the first place, it was purely a private sector initiative powered by both organizers. That not withstanding, APGA made a very strong representation to the organizers when it learned of the exclusion early on Monday. In response the organizers drew our attention to the fact that the choice of presidential and vice-presidential candidates to appear for the debate was done by voters on the social media platform, which it thoroughly supervised. The organisers also drew our attention to other laid down procedures as designed by them, which were meticulously followed.

It is our position that there was no reason for not including APGA candidates on the debates since the party is the third largest political party in the country, with a serving governor and numerous members in the state and national legislative assemblies.
Following our unyielding stance on the matter, the organisers have promised to look into the matter dispassionately with a view to accommodating it in the next round of debates holding on January 19, 2019.
We urge our members to remain calm as everything humanly possible is being done to correct the obvious anomaly.

We wish to reiterate the fact that APGA is in the 2019 presidential race to win and, therefore, will not tolerate any acts targeted at sabotaging its efforts as this would be stoutly resisted.

We assure our teeming members that General John Gbor and his running mate, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, form a formidable team with a clear-cut plan to take Nigeria to the next level of development based on equity, social justice and good governance.

It advised NEDG/BON not to do anything that could tarnish their reputation but ensure that justice is done to those that deserve it.

Ifeanacho Oguejiofor,
National Director of Publicity, APGA

Media Practitioners Rate Obiano High On Security
By Reporter - December 16, 2018 46 0




Media Practitioners in Anambra State have scored Governor Willie Obiano high on security of lives and property.

This was made known during the Correspondents’ Chapel Week of the
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council’s held at the Godwin Ezemo Press Centre, Awka.

They commended Governor Obiano for providing the enabling environment for effective security in the state.

In a keynote address, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C Don Adinuba, noted that government mobilized all the security agencies to fortify the existing security during and after yuletide.



He stressed that State Government would continue to support and maintain the good relationship already established with the state
chapter of NUJ.

Mr. Adinuba added that Anambra was indeed the light of the nation having produced some notable men and women who had contributed and still contributing toward the well being of the nation.

In a speech, Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Mr. Emma Ndukuba, commended the government for working out strategies to ensure peaceful and harmonious relationship among indigenes and herdsmen.

Mr. Ndukuba described the theme of the event, “Anambra Exceptionalism; A Case Study of Security and Good Governance’’ as apt, saying it was articulated to x-ray the contributions of the government and security agencies toward ensuring peace and stability.

The occasion witnessed the presentation of awards of excellence to some important dignitaries, including Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. Adinuba, Chief of staff Anambra State, Mr.
Primus Odili.

Others are Commissioner of Police Anambra, Mr. Garba Umar and Director of State Security, Mr. Yusuf Linus Isyaku.

Obiano Lauds Anambra Traditional Institution For Promoting Igbo Language And Culture
By EJIKE ABANA - December 16, 2018 42 0




Governor Willie Obiano has commended Traditional Institutions in the State for the right conduct and entrenching of culture and tradition of Ndigbo in the state.

Governor Obiano stated this while felicitating with the Traditional Ruler of Ukwulu, Igwe Peter Uyanwa, during his first Ofala at his Palace.

Governor Obiano asked Traditional Rulers to be mindful of the kind of people they give titles in order to uphold the sanctity of the institution.



He said that respect for the Traditional institution has greatly improved, and urged them to continue to support his administration and the Party, APGA.

In his speech, Igwe Uyanwa applauded the various initiatives of the present government which he said, have engendered transformation in all sectors of the State’s economy.

He prayed for the Governor and expressed his unalloyed support to him noting that dividends of good governance have reached Ukwulu Town under his watch, including the first and second phases of the Community Choose your project initiative, asking for approval for the third phase.

The State Traditional Rulers Council, led by its Chairman, Igwe Alfred Achebe, were in their numbers to felicitate with one of their own.