Chief Raymond Onyinyechi Ofoegbu, a United States of America based medical practitioner has donated a trailer load of yam and 250 pieces of wrapper to be shared to women and the less privileged during the 2021 IWA JI OHUHU FESTIVAL.

Recall that Chief Ofoegbu, the founder and president Onyinye Ohuhu Foundation has in the past donated computers to schools in Ohuhu, he had also embarked on the reconstruction of toilets and sports facilities in schools in Ofeme.

The 2021 IWA JI OHUHU festival which will hold on Saturday 28th August, 2021 at Amachara Umudiawa Ohuhu, Umuahia North LGA of Abia State by 12noon prompt, at the palace of his HRM Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, the chairman Ohuhu Council of traditional rulers, the ceremony will feature traditional dances from Ohuhu while the rich culture of the Ohuhu people will be on display.

The chairman of the event will be Chief Onyema Ugochukwu (Ikoro Ohuhu) and his H.E Amb. Empire Kanu ( Ikoro Ohuhu) be the co-chairman.

The executive governor of Abia State Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD will be the special guest of honor and the event will feature the conferment of Chieftaincy title on Prof ACB Agbazuere, the Chief of Staff to the governor of Abia State and other notable dignitaries from Ohuhu and beyond.

The deputy speaker of Abia State House Of Assembly Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu has embarked on the construction of a fire service station in Amaekpu Ohafia.

In an interview with the News Gazette Online the member representing Ohafia South state constituency said he embarked on the construction of the fire fighting station because he discovered that there was no fire fighting facility in the whole of Abia North senatorial zone and that whenever there is a fire outbreak in any part of Abia North the people will resort to self-help or watch helplessly as fire destroys their properties, I also discovered that out of the three senatorial zones in Abia state it is only Abia North that does not have a fire service station that was why I moved a motion in the house for the government to build a fire service station in Abia North and the motion got the approval of the house, a resolution was reached that a fire service station be sited in Abia North and an executive bill was raised for the government to construct a fire fighting station in the zone

But since the government is delaying on commencing the construction of a fire station due to paucity of funds or bureaucracy and having seen the critical importance and the urgent need to have an emergency apparatus to respond to fire disasters and other emergency situations in not only my immediate constituency which is Ohafia South but in Abia North Senatorial Zone. I embarked on the construction of a fire station using my personal funds to complement the efforts of Governor Ikpeazu who has been working tirelessly to see to the delivery of critical infrastructure across the state.

The design of the facility is of international standards and recommendations and it will be equipped with the best fire fighting equipment such as trucks, a standard water borehole, a truck station, a training ground, and administrative buildings.

It is important to note that I am funding it 100% from my purse and will hand it over to the government to manage when completed.

The founder of Chris Nwabia Foundation, Engr. Chris Akachi Nwa Abia has said that he derives joy in doing things that will benefit and affect his community and Ohuhu people and clan positively.

Speaking to journalists during a media parley organized by Chris Nwa-Abia Foundation, Engr. Nwa-Abia said he loves doing things that will advance society and make his people happy, “I saw a gap in education and infrastructure in my community Nkwoahara and Ohuhu in general, in Nkwoachara primary school, children were studying under fallen and leaking roofs, no seats and the environment is totally neglected, that’s why I decided to build a befitting school structure for the children.

I also decided to do the Mini Stadium complex because I understand the critical economic, social, and physical developmental importance and effect it will have on the youth population.

We cannot leave everything for the government, we need to give attention and develop today’s generation because that is the only way we can secure our tomorrow”

Engr. Nwa-Abia disclosed that the entire projects he is doing in his community are 100% funded by him with no government patronage and the motive is not political.

Nwa Abia Foundation is a non-governmental organization that has impacted his community positively through social development works, he has so far constructed tangible developmental projects such as the building of ultra-modern classroom blocks, Isingwu ultra-modern community halls, construction of stalls at Nkwoachara market, ongoing construction of a mini-stadium, electricity/ water projects and ultra-modern public convenience for the community amongst other developmental projects.

He said under the foundation’s education empowerment scheme, the foundation has been engaged in humanitarian services such as training of indigent students in secondary and tertiary institutions, payment of hospital bills for the less privileged, purchasing of WAEC, and jamb forms for students, full scholarships for students etc.

According to Engr Chris Akachi Nwa-Abia, the little we do to help society today will grow to become our strength and security tomorrow.

Chief Raymond Ofoegbu, an American-based medical practitioner and philanthropist has commenced the rebuilding of conveniences at Ofeme Technical School in Ofeme, Umuahia North LGA of Abia state.

Chief Ofoegbu who was honoured with a chieftaincy title as the Onyinyechi 1 of Ohuhu, on the 9th of July 2021, by the Ohuhu council of traditional rulers led by HRH Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu made the promise of rebuilding the two conveniences which have not been in use for over 3 years due to a wildfire incident which razed down the entire building resulting in the students and teachers using the nearby bushes as toilets, succour came to the students and teachers of the age-old and prestigious technical school which was chief Ofoegbu's alma-mater when he went to donate sets of computers to the school which he promised to give to every secondary school in Ohuhu to aid students in public schools to undertake digital education, to his shock, he and his entourage discovered that the students and teachers had no toilets. pained by the condition he promised to give the school a befitting toilet facility and also promised to also do a water project in the school to enhance the school hygiene and promote a safe and healthy school environment for the teachers and students.

The United States of America-based philanthropist is also undertaking the construction of a mini-stadium project at Amaetiti community school, also in Ofeme.

Recall that in keeping to his promises of making sure that every child in Ohuhu gets digital education, Chief Ofoegbu, has donated two computers along with component digital learning equipment to all the secondary schools in Ohuhu.

The News Gazette Online enquired from Chief Raymond Onyinyechi Ofoegbu, why he is undertaking such audacious projects, he said “the development of my Ohuhu is of topmost priority and it’s devoid of any personal or political interest”

He promised to ensure the completion of the projects in no distant time to enable staff and students of the school to have a healthy, safe and enjoyable learning environment.

Ikpeazu Administration: Moulding Abia Into A Garden of Possibilities

By Uche Aguoru

When governor Okezie Ikpeazu took over the reign of governance in Abia state. He was faced with a cannonade of election litigations that went on for the better part of his first four years as governor. one thing that stood out during this long legal battle was his courage and focus on inclusive economic and infrastructural development of the state.

Despite the battery of political, economic, and infrastructural challenges that greeted his ascension to the seat of governance. Dr Ikpeazu kept his focus and worked assiduously hard towards the possibility of sustained infrastructural and economic growth in God’s Own State.

Yes, there were concerns from valid interests and also from opposition quarters as to whether the governor will live up to the expectations of the people because of not only our political trajectory but also the infrastructural and economic challenges facing him upon assumption of office.

The Nigerian political system, known for its drama and intrigues, has been alien to innovation, consistency, and dedication to tangible development. but the administration of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to every sincere political analyst changed that perception by working hard to meet up its own set objectives and has redefined service delivery through focused, sincere, and prudent governance strategy.

Truth is, no other governor since the creation of the state has brought Abia to global recognition than the Ikpeazu administration.

Dr Ikpeazu has through consistent strategy and aggressive campaigning and promotion, made Aba a popular international destination for finished leather and garment products.

The volume of trade between Aba and the rest of West and Central Africa is at an all-time high, truckloads of manufactured goods depart the commercial city to the ports for onward export to Cameroun, Ghana, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Central Africa Republic, and other African countries, the manufacturers are also receiving orders in Dollar ($ )exchange from across Europe, America, Asia, and Arab countries.

Permit me to describe Dr. Ikpeazu as aggressively modern in his infrastructural and economic developmental policy approach, having strategically revived the industrial and entrepreneurial spirit of the average Aba resident and is moulding Aba into a garden of possibilities.

With focus on infrastructural development, Dr Ikpeazu’s administration has built and reconstructed schools, equipped hospitals, constructed health centers, reconstructed the Enyimba International Stadium, constructed roads with standard drainages across the 17 local governments.

Though the state has infrastructural challenges especially within Aba due to its peculiar topographical nature, the Ikpeazu government is tackling the challenges successfully and aggressively and today so many roads hitherto impassable have been reclaimed with standard and world-class construction and design, stabilized and built to last.

Dr. Ikpeazu has not made Infrastructural development its singular goal. His administration is approaching the development of the state through a multifaceted approach, there have also been projects and government-level actions aimed at boosting Abia’s economic growth and evolution.

The Ikpeazu administration has also shown remarkable innovation and creativity in its ever-growing list of ways to boost the state’s economy. his unique outlook on development, relentless focus on growth, and the evolution of Abia are a product of smart thinking, prudence, innovative and creative governance, preparedness, focus, and insistence on excellence and quality leadership.

This administration has a clear vision and is determined on its accomplishment, but one thing is clear, Dr Ikpeazu has his eyes on the ball and will leave behind an Abia we all will be proud of.

Aguoru

Writes From Umuahia

Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya has presented his midterm scorecard to his immediate constituents of Umuahia Central State Constituency.

While presenting the scorecard on Wednesday at a meeting in Umuahia, the Speaker acknowledged that although he is Speaker for all Abians, and that everything he does as the State’s Number One Lawmaker, he does for the interest of all Abians, it was imperative he reported back to the people of his immediate constituency from where he was elected into the Abia State House of Assembly.

Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji who admonished all to shun jealousy, backbiting, malice, mischief, and falsehood whether in their personal relationships or in politics, said he was always open to constructive criticisms and that he looked forward to advice and suggestions that could make him perform even better and deliver greater democracy dividends to the people as his target was to ensure that the people he serves remain proud of him even long after he must have left office.

“One of the main reasons I called this meeting is to hear from you all; to know the areas we are doing well and the areas we need to improve upon as no man can claim to know it all.

“In whatever area you feel I need to improve, kindly feel very free to tell me. I am ready to take your advice and see how I can implement your suggestions as possible as I can because democracy is all about the people”, he said.

The Speaker who committed to reaching a minimum milestone of 70% completion level in all the projects embarked upon by him by December 2021 said solar-powered streetlights which he received from the Governor will soon be installed in different schools in the constituency so as to enhance their security, especially at night. He also promised that more streetlights will be installed in Umuahia.

Apart from a new health centre that will be built at Loretta since there is none in Ward 3 as of today, the Speaker also promised that more water projects will be embarked upon in more communities.

“When I started my water projects across communities a few years ago, some doubted our commitment and thought the projects were mere political tools and would not stand the test of time. But to the glory of God, the projects are still very functional today in all the communities”, he said.

In their separate remarks, Chief Charles Ogbonna, a former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State, Chief Uchenna Akwukwegbu (Bawas), the Traditional Prime Minister of Ibeku Ancient Kingdom among others commended the Speaker for his exceptional leadership attributes which have helped to keep the Abia State House of Assembly highly effective and peaceful despite being peopled by Members of different political parties, and for the numerous projects he has attracted to the constituency and even beyond, and those he has embarked upon directly by himself, describing his scorecard as “the incontrovertible evidence of dividends of democracy to the people”.

They however requested him to do more, saying, “Like Oliver Twist, we cannot stop asking for more”.Other individuals and groups in the Constituency also spoke in the same vein with some highlighting issues afflicting their areas for which they asked for the Speaker’s intervention.

Also present at the event are: Prof Udo Ogbonna, Hon Suleiman Ukandu, Sir Okechukwu Ndukwe, Hon Eze Okwulehie, Chief Frank Ibe, Hon Miller, Hon Uzoma Asiegbu, Hon Peter Obinna Iroegbu, Hon Andrew Uwaga, PWDs, students, traders artisans etc.

It was resolved that the meeting holds more regularly and cascaded down to other levels.
Some of the Speaker’s interventions (both the ones directly embarked upon by him and those he attracted from the Executive Arm) in the constituency and beyond include:

1. Potable water projects
2. Seven mini stadiums under construction at Isieke Ibeku; St Stephen’s, Umuahia; Ubakala; Ezeleke Umuopara; Usaka Ariam, Ikwuano; Ohuhu and Olokoro
3. Interventions in schools (reroofing, fencing, re-grassing, provision of water borehole, furniture, classroom blocks, toilet facilities, etc)
4. Provision of electricity transformers to several communities
5. Scholarships
6. Youth empowerment through ICT Training (close to 200 youths are currently under training free of charge since April)
7. Empowerment items (cars, Keke, start-up capital, etc) to youths and artisans
8. Construction and reconstruction of roads in Amuzukwu, Ugba, Afaraukwu, etc
9. Rehabilitation/equipping of health centers, among others

Opinion: Rt.Hon. Orji, Leading An Economic, Health And Infrastructural Revolution Through Sports.

By Uche Aguoru

Sports is an area of human interaction where respect for rules, teamwork, and fair play are the norm. Sports include all forms of physical exercise, whether local or imported, amateur or professional, casual or organized. Despite its critical importance in the economic, social, and physical development of the youth population, it is an area that has remained underdeveloped and underfunded, especially in Africa.

In Nigeria today so many talented and promising sportsmen and women have died with their talents and dreams while those who struggled to survive have remained undeveloped or underdeveloped, unknown and poor, entrapped, and struggling in another vocation not naturally carved for them, not because of lack of finance or interest but simply for lack of infrastructure.

Many football talents who would have ended up in the back of their compounds playing monkey posts or turn to street urchins today are big names in international soccer and other sports simply because they found themselves abroad where they have access to sporting infrastructure and training that sharpened their naturally endowed skills.

As a youth ambassador who has placed a premium on the development of the youthful generation, the speaker of the Abia State House Of Assembly Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, having understudied the pivotal importance of developing this very important sector has undertaken the construction of mini stadia across so many local governments so as to ensure that talented sportsmen and women have facilities to activate their sporting talents and improve on their skills.

Rt. Hon, Chinedum Orji understands that sports promote youth development, environment, governance, peace, friendship, understanding, tolerance and abhors class discrimination, he is also aware that apart from education the only true weapon of social cohesion is sports, and people cannot effectively develop in any area of sports without adequate training and infrastructure, in an effort to ensure that talented youths develop and pursue skills in sports, he had embarked on the construction and equipment of mini stadia in Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Ikwuano with Ikwuano LGA hosting 2 stadia, Umuahia South LGA has 3 stadia at different stages of construction and Umuahia North has 4 mini stadia with 2 sited in Ibeku and 2 in Ohuhu.

The construction of these facilities has since commenced with about four of the facilities at 50% completion.
The facilities which were sited at Isieke, St Stephen's, Ubakala, Umuokpara, Ohuhu, Ikwuano, and Olokoro had that of Isieke, St. Stephens, Ubakala, Ikwuano at 50% completion while the construction of the Williams memorial secondary school Afugiri mini stadia just took off, that of Ohuhu Community Secondary School, Amaogwugwu will commence soon.

With the assurances from Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji that all the projects will be completed and fully functional on or before December 2021, the chain effect will no doubt enhance the economic, infrastructural and physical health of the people, it will keep many youths engaged and off the streets, it also has the potentials of developing and producing world class talents in football and other areas of sporting activities.

In the words of the famous Roman poet Decimus Junius Juvenalis, “mens sana in corpore sano – a sound mind in a sound body”. In other words, sports activities can help improve our minds and self-esteem and engender a general sense of well-being.

Aguoru
Writes From Umuahia

The Abia State House of Assembly as a responsible legislature and in keeping with our constitutionally assigned mandate will not be cowed into abandoning our responsibility by anyone or group of persons not even the APC as a political party.

Abia State House of Assembly is an active and very responsible legislature, peopled by men of high integrity who have been discharging their legislative duties professionally without blemish.

We, hereby state, without equivocation that the Abia State Assembly is very competent and active and knows our legislative ambits under the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.

We, therefore warn the APC in Abia and its actors that no amount of intimidation will stop the house or the committee from continuing to carry out its right and proper legislative duties.

We are aware of the weight of the corruption allegation against the state government by the former commissioner of finance Mr Obinna Oriaku, where-in he named the Honourable speaker Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, as an interested party.

We also want to inform the APC that the Abia House Of Assembly has received a petition over the management of the N22 billion Paris Club refund against the former Commissioner for Finance, Mr Obinna Oriaku.

As a responsible house, we are duty-bound to investigate such weighty allegations and in the spirit of fairness the speaker had recused himself and set up an unbiased committee made up of majorly members of other political parties in order to guarantee fair hearing, so what actually is Mr Oriaku and APC afraid of?

We wonder why Abia APC will take it upon themselves as a political party to stop the house from investigating an alleged corruption except in a case of gross insincerity or simply playing politics with the emotions of Abians and their constituents.

Let it be noted that no one can dictate to this honourable house its constitutional role and this house will no longer tolerate or respond to further distractions by anyone on this matter.

Sign
Rt Hon ifeanyi UCHENDU
Spokesman Abia 7th Assembly

It was an emotionally laden interview with the father of little miss Success, the 10 year old pupil of Seed Of David International School Aba who was allegedly raped by his teacher whose name was given as Mr. Nathaniel.

In an interview with the News Gazette Online, the father of the little miss Success said that his child who recently turned 10 is in basic 5 and exceptionally brilliant, she takes the first position in her class until all of a sudden she became scared of going to school and sometimes when dressed for school she will start crying and asking if its a must to go to school every day, he told our reporter that he never suspected that anything was wrong until last week after dressing the child up for school the mother came to inform him that the little girl complained that her teacher was sexually abusing her and threatened to kill her if she dares inform anybody.

He immediately took her to the hospital where some tests were conducted and the doctor after examining her said that there was redness in her private part, that it had been damaged, and that the violation was not just once it has been going on for a while.

He said, he returned to the school and met with the teacher Mr. Nathaniel who pleaded and took them to his uncle who promised to offset the medical bills as the proprietor of the school was said to be out of town.

Upon the return of the proprietor Mr. Chibunna Isreal Okoye, he went to complain to the man over the sexual abuse of his 10 year old daughter by her class teacher, rather than show empathy or try to ask the little girl what happened the proprietor stood up in defense of his teacher Mr. Nathaniel insisting that he won’t do such thing, we now asked the child to show us where the teacher used to abuse her, she took us to her class behind a wardrobe and also pointed at the teachers’ chair but he, Mr. Okoye insisted that my daughter was lying against the teacher and told Nathaniel and his uncle not to pay the medical bills as it will amount to acceptance of guilt, he also went ahead to threaten me and my family that he will deal ruthlessly with us if we drag the name of his school into a scandal.

It was at this point that a rights organization headed by Mrs. Jane Ogbauta on hearing the incident moved in and reported the matter to the police area command, the police immediately conducted another test on my daughter in their clinic to confirm the abuse and subsequently arrested the alleged pedophile Mr. Nathaniel, who is currently in police detention.

He also alleged that he is still receiving threats from the proprietor of the school, Mr. Chibunna Isreal Okoye, asking him to withdraw the matter or he will deal with him and his family if the image of his school goes down, he informed The News Gazette Online that the wife of the governor Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu through her foundation had sent a delegation to his family and has taken up the matter.

HRK Eze Iheanyi Nwokenna, Oba the great of Ekeoba Kingdom felicitate Don Lulu on the occasion of his birthday today, June 27, 2021.

In a message made available to the News Gazette Online the Royal Father described him as a philantropist whose foundation has been profoundly beneficial to many less privileged of the society and the youth.

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Mayor Lucky Igbokwe Chairman,

Don Lulu Foundation

No.1 Igbokwe Close Umuawa Alaocha

Umuahia North LGA AbiaState.

BIRTHDAY FELICITATION

It is a thing of joy to come to the reality that the mercies of God has brought you thus far and very remarkably adding one year to your eventful age today 27th day of June, 2021 .

Your Foundation has been profoundly beneficial to many less privileged of the society and the youth.
Keep your faith alive God will see you through.

"We need leaders not in Love with money but leaders in love with Justice, not in Love with publiclty but in love with Humanity." May the good Lord grant you many more fruitful and healthy years ahead in Jesus Mighty Name I pray.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND CONGRATULATIONS.
HRK Eze (Amb.} Iheanyichukwu Nwokenna
Oba the Great of Ekeoba Ancient kingdom.

Ohuhu Council Of Traditional Rulers celebrate Don Lulu on the occasion of his birthday today, June 27, 2021.
In a message made available to The News-Gazette Online, HRM Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, Chairman, Ohuhu Council of Traditional Rulers described him as a worthy son of Ohuhu who is blessed through his benevolence.

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Mayor Lucky Igbokwe,

Chairman Don Lulu Foundation,
Umuawa Alaocha-Ohuhu Umuahia North L.G.A. Abia State,

CONGRATULATIONS Hurray Don ls 40.

You are our worthy son and you are blessed by your benevolence.

On behalf of Ohuhu Council of Traditional Rulers, we wish you a Happy Birthday and many more returns.

May God continue to bless you in good health and prosperity.

Congratulation on adding one more year to your age.

HIP! HIP!! HIP … HURRAY!!!
HRM Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu
Chairman Ohuhu Council of Traditional Rulers

T

Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji has sent a congratulatory message to Mayor Lucky Igbokwe (Don Lulu) on the occasion of his birthday today, June 27, 2021.

The Speaker in the message prayed God to continue to bless him all the days of his life, he described him as a man who has dedicated his life to the service of others particularly the needy.

Read Full

Mayor Lucky Igbokwe

Chairman, Don Lulu Foundation

No.1 Igbokwe Close Umuawa -Alocha Umuahia, Abia State.

My Dear Brother,

BIRTHDAY WISHES

The occasion of your 40th birthday which is another milestone in your exemplary life affords me another opportunity to specially celebrate you. As a man who has dedicated his life to the service of others particularly the needy and communities, it is only fitting that I join your family, friends and well wishers to felicitate you on this special day of yours.

I am extremely proud to be associated with you as a brother, friend and proud son of Umuahia with virtues of simplicity and generosity.
I pray God to continue to bless you all the day of your life even as I wish you a happy birthday, long life and prosperity.

Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji (MNSE) Speaker

Going by history the world has always looked up to legends as people who not only win but give us a larger than life image as role models. By all standards with available and verifiable records Mayor lucky Igbokwe is a perfect fit, he is someone who sacrifices self for the comfort of others.

Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, aka Don Lulu have lived and still living a life dedicated to service to humanity, he is a renowned philanthropist and has a huge investment in human capital development

Over the years the name Don Lulu’ has become synonymous with philanthropy, kindness entrepreneurship, and entertainment.

And on Sunday the 27th of June 2021 history will record another great event as this legend of our time the great Don Lulu will be celebrating his birthday.

Going by the above remarks, friends, relatives, Abia State and the Nigerian entertainment community usually look forward to the birthday celebration of Mayor Lucky Igbokwe which comes up every 27th of June and always lifts the spirit of the lowly and needy in the society leaving them with an indelible smile on their faces.

That time of the year is here again and as its customary, Don Lulu has outlined a number of humanitarian activities top of which is a human empowerment program targeted at lifting 15,000 Abia indigenes out of poverty with N600m donors development fund.

Going by the press release from Don Lulu Foundation (DLF),15,000 Abia youths and rural women will be benefitting from his Rural Youths and Women Development Programme (RYAWDP), and the beneficiaries will be drawn equally from the 3 senatorial zones of the state.

Mayor Lucky Igbokwe popular known in the Nigerian entertainment community as Don Lulu went into the entertainment industry as a music promoter at an early age, he founded 2Flame Entertainment Ltd which today has grown into a successful and leading record label in Nigeria with a lot of well-known and successful artistes in the company’s label.

He has assisted and encouraged up-and-coming artistes into realizing their talents, he is also the Chairman and managing director of Lucion Towers Constructions Ltd a firm that is into big-time real estate and property development.

He recently acquired KeduTV Channel, an Afrobeat and lifestyle TV channel broadcasting 24 hours and streaming worldwide on Roku, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, KBox USA & Nigeria, and KeduTV Channel Android App.

Lucky Igbokwe a United Nations Mayor of Peace was in 2013 appointed the United Nations Mayor of Peace and till date has remained the youngest M.o.P in Nigeria.
Recall that the Don Lulu foundation has in the past set up Widow/Widowers Empowerment scheme with a 40 million Naira interest-free revolving loan facility for artisans, traders and other indigent members of the society.

He has also in the past constructed, furnished and donated three units of 2 and 3 bungalows to the less privileged.

Distinguished Senator T.A Orji, through the Don Lulu foundation had built block of classrooms in Umuawa Alaocha Primary School and had also delivered, installed and energized transformers in the community.

The foundation had equipped Umuawa Alaocha Primary School with modern computers in its digital inclusion efforts to give the less privileged access to modern technological education and close the existing performance gaps between the poor and the rich in the society.

Mayor Igbokwe derives joy in seeing others happy especially the poor and the indigent, little wonder his favourite quote remains “We cannot stand by and pretend the problem doesn’t exist. This is our world and our opportunity to change it. We only get one life to make a difference. We either leave this world better, unchanged, or worse off than when we arrived and as for me I have chosen to make a difference”

Why would one man choose to run a multi billion naira commission alone, shutting out 9 member states, the only reasonable answer is greed.

But you know in life, everything has an answer, the lion of the Niger Delta Government Tompolo has roared and the FG is now shivering.

Who wouldn't? the nigga had threatened to cut the only thing holding Naija together as a nation. (oil)

FG represented by the greedy minister of the NDDC, Sen.Godswill Akpabio, immediately took a 100meters dash and landed in the creeks of the Niger Delta and waited for the man the FG declared wanted to wake up from his royal sleep so as to beg and explain his greed.

That's how you know the real McCoy.

Tompolo did not start by lecturing Niger Deltans on how their leaders are useless illiterates and stupid morons and why he hated the blackmans mentality, he did not send his boys to hunt for fellow Niger Deltans to kill in the name of unknown Gunmen, so as to attract attention.

He did not threaten to visit his people with death and arson if his 7 days ultimatum is not met.

But he was strategic and calm, he knew where to touch and the FG who by the way suspended Twitter operations in Nigeria would come begging.

That's why he is called the king of the creeks

Did I tell you that Tompolo was declared wanted by Buhari and that FG had sent troops to creeks of Oporoza in Gbaramatu kingdom in search of Tompolo so many times.

But Tompolo refused to run to UK, he stayed back with his people and dared the military, he is still there and same FG that declared him wanted, now goes to Gbaramatu to beg him for time to do what he decreed.

Watch out in a few days time the board of NDDC will be constituted.

Thats who a leader and a true warrior should be.

Hon. Onuzuruike’s Performance Had Killed APC And Other Opposition Parties In Ohuhu, Decampees Praise Lawmaker As He Delivers Midterm Report....................................


Two years after his re-election as the member representing Umuahia North State constituency Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike of the People’s Democratic Party on Saturday the 19th of June 2021 gave account of his stewardship to his constituents.

The event which took place in Okaiuga Nkwoegwu primary school had in attendance the aged, artisans, market men and women, members of the various professional bodies, politicians students, and members of the business community amongst others.

The good and hardworking people of Ohuhu trooped out in their numbers to listen to their representative deliver his mid-term record.

While presenting his midterm report Hon. Onuzuruike said though his core mandate is lawmaking, oversight and representation, he has and is still working very hard to ensure that he delivers tangible infrastructural project to complement the governor Ikpeazu’s efforts in our constituency,

The Deputy Chief Whip of the 7th Abia legislative Assembly enumerated the infrastructural projects delivered by him which are spread across Ohuhu to include installation of 33 KVA transformer at Umuohuru Autonomous Community, construction of an abattoir at Nkwoegwu Market, reconstruction of Umuakam Nkwoegwu village hall, Construction of 4 class room blocks at Okaiuga Nkwoegwu primary school, construction and installation of palm oil mill at Umuire, Nkwoachara ward, reconstruction of Umuawa Alaocha civic hall, building of classroom blocks in Umumgbokwo, Isingwu ward.

In Umuhu ward, Hon. Onuzuruike built classroom blocks and skill acquisition centre at Ofeme, Mbato Ofeme, he also constructed public urinary and toilet facilities, some of the projects still ongoing includes the Magistrate Court at Afugiri which as at the time of filing this reports is at the roofing level.

Besides these tanglible projects, honourable Onuzuruike had personally reached out to his constituents by assisting indigent students in tertiary institutions and secondary schools with school fees, sponsorship of annual grassroots unity football competition which has been highly comptetive and produced and identified soccer talents within ohuhu, paying hospital bills for the sick and assisting some to acquire skills.

He had also assisted a lot of his constituents to gain employment in the state civil service and also government appointments.

In lawmaking it is on record that Hon. Onuzuruike, had sponsored bills that have been signed into laws and moved motions on matters concerning his constituency and constituents.

The high point of the event was the recieving of over 500 APC members who crosscarpeted to the PDP, speaking on behalf of the decampees an APC stalwart Mr. Ambrose Ezeocha, said the score card of Hon. Onuzuruike is so visible that it diminished and infact killed oppostion in Ohuhu, he said their decision to move over to the PDP is to join efforts with our reprsetative and other political leaders to move our constituency forward.

“There is no other party existing in Ohuhu and even Abia today and we cant be left out that was why we decided to join the party with the biggest umbrella to contribute in building a better future for our communities”

Welcoming them into the party Onowu Prince Ben Okezie, the PDP state treasurer,said, onbehalf of the state party chairman and stake holders of the party in Ohuhu, I assure you all that the party will accomodate your interests, we in PDP treats every body equally and our umbrella is large enough to accomodate”

Dignitaries present at the event include, Hon. Emeka Ejiogu, Chief Hope Uwaga, Hon. Chidiebere Nwachukwu, Comrade Uche Aguoru,Onowu Prince Ben Okezie, Chief Obi Njoku, Mr Ugochukwu Ezeocha, Mr. Okey Ufomadu, Mr Orlando Okparaocha, Mr Okezie Ogbudu, Mr Dandy Sunday, Mr Chimdi Omesue and a whole lot of other party and non party members from every ward in ohuhu.

At last, the world's most powerful president has done us a favour by speaking to Nigerians directly.

Oh.. what a relief….. I will be in church tomorrow for Thanksgiving, I heard directly from my president and not the presidency.

You know what? contrary to what Mazi Nnamdi Kanu told us, this is Buhari and not Jibril El-Sudaini, very typical, he didn’t hide his biases, he is still buried in his conservative position and left no one in doubt about his clannish posture and reservations for the Igbos.

That’s Buhari very straight-talking, undiplomatic, unpresidential, blaming everyone and everything except self.

The governors are the problem, the LGA chairmen are the issues, the judiciary won’t let me act, the constitution is my problem.
" but at the same time he stands against restructuring and constitution amendment. that's my Bubu, highly antiquated and living behind the times.

He clings tenaciously to his belief that the welfare of cows must come first before the security of Nigerians.

He made excuses for the fulani's and the criminality of the marauding fulani herders and also explained why we should accommodate them even from across the border and create grazing routes at the expense of our lives.

"IPOB is a dot in a circle" typical Buhari, highly incoherent and unable to differentiate a group from a people but obdurate in matters concerning the Igbos, he hasn't forgiven and remains fixated.

Oga Bubu, biko, ejoor, emabinu, Don- Allah, no be every Igbo Man be IPOB.

"They must be dealt with in the language they understand" using the north western bandits as an example, I can understand oga presido, we needed the damage control so as to prove twitter wrong.

Never mind, we know what you said and who you are referring to.

My radio biafra director this remains the Bubu that we know since 2015 still shackled in his 5% mentality now improved to "A dot in a Circle".

Ohamadike raise another propaganda this one don caste.

Though We Have Lost The Meaning, But All The Same Happy Democracy Day Nigerians

Innocent Enyinna, Eulogises Dr. Mike Enyinna, On His Birthday, Describes Him As A Mentor.
On this occasion of his birthday, the Director of Operations, FundVine Group Ltd felicitates Dr Enyinna, describing him as a mentor, big brother and role model.

Full Message...............

Dear Kasarachi,

On this occasion of your birthday, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all your love, time, and efforts in teaching me almost everything that I needed to know about life. I am so grateful to God for giving me a big brother, boss, leader, mentor, and a great role model of selfless giving all in one person.

Your mentorship has given me a better understanding of what it takes to achieve greatness in life and I want to let you know that I truly appreciate and value all the support and motivation you've given me in life, it means the world to me.

Thank you for your continued support, guidance, and encouragement. I pray your new age brings you many new fantastic experiences and I look forward to greater work and brotherly relationship with you.

May your heart know happiness today and on all the days of your life.
Congratulations and wishing you all the best in life as you celebrate an additional year in your life,
Happy birthday to my Big brother Michael.

From.......

Innocent C. Enyinna
Director operations Fundvine Holdings

The deputy chairman of Umuahia north local government area, Hon. Bob Ogechi Agbugba has described education as the only lasting legacy we can leave for our generation, he said this during an interview with The News Gazette Online, in his office in Umuahia North Local Government Area secretariat.

On why he embarked on an educational empowerment scheme, he said he believes that the only way you can create a lasting developmental impact in our society is by ensuring that our children get quality education, even as leaders it will be difficult to lead an ignorant and uneducated population who can hardly understand government policies and direction but when a people gets education leadership comes easy, Hon. Agbugba, said the inspiration to help our youths acquire tertiary education is borne out of my personal conviction that it is only education that can close the gap between the rich and the poor in our society.

He stated that the purchase of JAMB forms for the indigent students in Umuahia North is only the first phase of the educational empowerment scheme under the Abomark Foundation, he also revealed that there are plans to assist those who cannot pay for their acceptance and school fees into the higher institutions and that a lot of good-spirited individuals through him wants to assist our people to get tertiary education because education is the only guarantee to security.

The Chairman ABOMARK GROUP LTD and current deputy chairman Umuahia North LGA, described himself as a beneficiary of the society and that he needs to give back to that society that he has benefitted from even as a private businessman, he stated that though he has been in the business of philanthropy long before he joined government and stated that his current societal status is a testimony of the love his people have for him which he is not ready to take for granted.

He said though he wanted to give out only 80 JAMB forms but that his brothers who believed in the course made it up to 180 forms which were distributed in all the political wards in Umuahia North, irrespective of party affiliation. He thanked all those who contributed to the program by purchasing more forms and asked God to bless them.

He hinted that though this program is a private initiative from my foundation but having been in office for about 4 months, Hon. Agbugba revealed that the current Umuahia North LGA administration led by Hon. Njinkeonye is crafting a policy that will ensure improved education, security, and health in our schools especially at the primary level, and said that the administration is prioritizing education.

He thanked most especially Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on whose vision he keyed into, Senator T.A Orji, for his fatherly advice and encouragement, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, who has been very supportive, and his boss, the chairman of Umuahia North, Ugochukwu Njinkeonye whose support and assistance made the program a huge success.

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Chapter on wednesday march 10, 2021 elected Comrade Ifeanyi Nwaji as the associations chairman.

In an election which held at the Alhaji Liman hall MOUAU, Comrade Nwaji polled a total of 122 votes to defeat the incumbent, Comrade Michael Ime Okon, who got only 8 votes.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Branch, Comrade Ifeanyi Nwaji on behalf of other elected officials thanked God who has the powers to make leaders and kings for giving him the position through the votes of his members and assured his fellow contestants that his victory is their victory, he called on them to join hands with him to build the NAAT of their dream.

He thanked the National President of NAAT, Hon. Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, who was represented by Engr. Timothy Afiagh for his deep understanding of the Constitution and his maturity in making sure that a level playing ground was granted to all the contestants, he appreciated the Vice Chancellor of MOUAU, Prof. Maduebibisi Offor Iwe who through the Chief Security Officer of the school made sure the environment was safe for the conduct of the election and saluted the sacrifice of the Electoral Committee led by Pastor Samuel Adiele, saying that their effort would not be in vain, he ended by appreciating his colleagues for the confidence reposed on him and assured them that he would never take it for granted and prayed God to bless NAAT, MOUAU and Nigeria at large.

Comrade Nwaji, is a Principal Technologist in the Department of Electrical Electronic Engineering, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), he is also a member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and a certified Engineering Technologist.

Other officers elected were comrade Clement Emenike Ifenkwe, Secretary, Comrade Osemedua Yadi-Okafor, Assistant Secretary and Comrade Prince Nnamdi Okenwa was elected the Financial Secretary of the organisation.

We the members of Ikwuano/Umuahia Professionals condemn in strong language the attack on senator T.A Orji and the speaker of the Abia state house of Assembly Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji by Chief Ako Obioma, we describe his attack on senator Orji and son as one borne out of envy, ingratitude and bad blood.

As young professionals from Ikwuano/Umuahia we are here to put the records straight, chief Ako Obioma, while we will advise the speaker and our distinguished Senator T.A Orji not to banter words with you on this your bitterness driven commentaries we will not fail to remind you that during the administration of our brother Senator T.A Orji your companies got most of contracts in road construction in the state but rather than deliver on those contracts you used the money paid to your company as mobilization to purchase expensive and luxury cars and were engaged in careless exhibition of wealth riding on open roof Lamborghini and Mercedes in Umuahia.

We are aware that Chief Acho Obioma, (CHOMEN) your elder brother is the original owner of the company, instead of encouraging a peaceful resolution of issues between the governor and your brother at the time, all you did was to go behind to hijack all the contracts given to CHOMEN by Governor TA Orji, and we ask where did a man of such character derive the moral strength to attack Senator Orji and family?

Chief Ako Obioma, is it not an open truth that Governor Ikpeazu stopped releasing funds to you because you failed to complete the agreed number of kilometers before more funds is supposed to be released to your company according to the contractual agreement?

As our brother we are aware of the frustrations you are facing at the moment which was as a result of poor service delivery by your company that caused Abia state government and other clients of yours to stop patronizing your company and we will advise that you desist from this your attack on our distinguished senator and the speaker but rather concentrate on improving your company by delivering according to set contractual agreements.

Senator T. A Orji, has not wronged you in any way but rather he has assisted you much more than even his Ibeku brothers by giving you more jobs than he gave to them which you abandoned at different stages because you were busy using the money given to you to exhibit wealth and buy expensive vehicles rather than deploy the funds advanced to you into delivering on the contracts.

Engr. Ikenna Ogu

Chairman Ikwuano/Umuahia Professionals

Having listened to the unfortunate and uncomplimentary comments of Senator Adeyemi on the floor of the senate which I consider highly irresponsible and uncouth against my focused Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu (PhD).

I stand to say that Senator Smart Adeyemi is either on some unnatural influence, ill-informed or outrightly mischievous, yes, I have my differences with Abia State government which led to my company taking Abia state government to court over the huge debt amounting to 4 billion naira being owed my companies by his predecessor, I have followed the governing strategy and focused leadership of Dr. Ikpeazu and I have come to admire his foresight, uprightness and genuine intention to develop Abia State.

I am quite privileged to have access to all the past administrations military and civilian governors and administrators that have governed this state as my company was the first major contractor to work for Abia state upon creation in 1991, and over time I have had direct relationships and executed major projects in the state for all the past Governors, having established that, I must tell you that Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is not only doing very well for our dear state Abia, but he is good intentioned and focused on sustainable and enduring development of the state much more than every other person that has administered the affairs of this state.

With my experience in active road construction and building spanning over 30 years and having worked for all the Governors from creation of Abia state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is the only Governor that has shown Genuine intentions to develop Abia State after Air Vice Marshall Frank Ajobena.

Honestly, I admire his style of leadership and the manner he has avoided distractions and joining of issues with critics of his government but has rather remained resolute and on track despite many years of judicial battle, Dr Ikpeazu had devoted his time in building lasting structures and human capacity without much advertisements.

He is peace personified and his government is witnessing the best peace and less political confrontation in Abia state than any other civilian administration.

for the purposes of hindsight so as not to be misconstrued.

As a major stakeholder in PDP, from his start of campaign in 2014 to inception of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu administration, we had an agreement to gradually offset the debt owed my companies by his predecessor and in other not to lose focus, I decided that my company will not take any fresh contract from his government until the old debt is settled.

I must state that even though His Excellency, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu have not been able to make the payment as agreed or honored any part of the agreements we reached, but what he has done for the state in the area of infrastructure and human capital development leaves me with no choice than to support his policies and administration.

The Umuopara ring road we are presently constructing was awarded and abandoned by his predecessor in 2008 and we were called to return to site under controversial circumstances.

Irrespective of our differences Dr. Ikpeazu, has my full support and every well-meaning Abian irrespective of party affiliation or personal misgivings should support and encourage the great works and giant strides of Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu in Abia state.

Truth must be told, Abians will be proud and will miss Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu dearly upon his exit from office.

My prayer is that his successor will be as focused and result oriented as Dr. Ikpeazu and even more.

God bless, Abia State.

Dr. Ako Obioma, the Akubaraoha 1 of Umuopara and Chairman Daman Group Ltd.

Writes from Umuahia south

Having listened to the unfortunate and uncomplimentary comments of Senator Adeyemi on the floor of the senate which I consider highly irresponsible and uncouth against my focused Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu (PhD).

I stand to say that Senator Smart Adeyemi is either on some unnatural influence, ill-informed or outrightly mischievous, yes, I have my differences with Abia State government which led to my company taking Abia state government to court over the huge debt amounting to 4 billion naira being owed my companies by his predecessor, I have followed the governing strategy and focused leadership of Dr. Ikpeazu and I have come to admire his foresight, uprightness and genuine intention to develop Abia State.

I am quite privileged to have access to all the past administrations military and civilian governors and administrators that have governed this state as my company was the first major contractor to work for Abia state upon creation in 1991, and over time I have had direct relationships and executed major projects in the state for all the past Governors, having established that, I must tell you that Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is not only doing very well for our dear state Abia, but he is good intentioned and focused on sustainable and enduring development of the state much more than every other person that has administered the affairs of this state.

With my experience in active road construction and building spanning over 30 years and having worked for all the Governors from creation of Abia state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is the only Governor that has shown Genuine intentions to develop Abia State after Air Vice Marshall Frank Ajobena.

Honestly, I admire his style of leadership and the manner he has avoided distractions and joining of issues with critics of his government but has rather remained resolute and on track despite many years of judicial battle, Dr Ikpeazu had devoted his time in building lasting structures and human capacity without much advertisements.

He is peace personified and his government is witnessing the best peace and less political confrontation in Abia state than any other civilian administration.

for the purposes of hindsight so as not to be misconstrued.

As a major stakeholder in PDP, from his start of campaign in 2014 to inception of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu administration, we had an agreement to gradually offset the debt owed my companies by his predecessor and in other not to lose focus, I decided that my company will not take any fresh contract from his government until the old debt is settled.

I must state that even though His Excellency, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu have not been able to make the payment as agreed or honored any part of the agreements we reached, but what he has done for the state in the area of infrastructure and human capital development leaves me with no choice than to support his policies and administration.

The Umuopara ring road we are presently constructing was awarded and abandoned by his predecessor in 2008 and we were called to return to site under controversial circumstances.

Irrespective of our differences Dr. Ikpeazu, has my full support and every well-meaning Abian irrespective of party affiliation or personal misgivings should support and encourage the great works and giant strides of Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu in Abia state.

Truth must be told, Abians will be proud and will miss Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu dearly upon his exit from office.

My prayer is that his successor will be as focused and result oriented as Dr. Ikpeazu and even more.

God bless, Abia State.

Dr. Ako Obioma, the Akubaraoha 1 of Umuopara and Chairman Daman Group Ltd.

Writes from Umuahia south

It is with utmost sadness and deepest sympathy that I mourn the death of Hon. Prestige Ossy, Today Abia and indeed the entire nation has lost a true democrat and a reformist legislator.

Hon. Prestige has championed the development of aba using the instrumentality of the legislature, He has been a strong proponent of politics without bitterness.

He will be forever remembered by all the people he touched and dearly missed by all those he had inspired.

APGA, Aba, Abia and Nigeria will miss him and his resplendent personality.

May God grant his friends and the people of Aba North/South Federal Constituency strength and patience to bear this irreparable loss.

I pray to God Almighty to grant the family the fortitude to bear this heavy loss and reward all the good work of Hon. Prestige Ossy, forgive his limitations and bless what he left behind.

May His Soul Rest In Peace!

Chief Amb. Charles Nzechi
Aha Eji Agamba Ndi Ohuhu

The name Amb Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna, may not sound too familiar within the media space but for the less privileged, the disabled, the poor and the needy in the society the name elicits joy and happiness any time it is mentioned.

Amb Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna the Arochukwu born philanthropist is the founder of IGNES OGBONNA FOUNDATION,
He is a business man and Chairman of Ogbonna IGNES Investment Limited, Visteon International Company an import/export firm, Amb. Ogbonna is a Property Developer and real estate magnate.

The business mogul who recently expanded his business empire by venturing into shipping and tech Mobile phones was recently honoured by persons confined to the wheel chair (WHEELCOPO) with the Award of LIFE PATRON and ADVOCATE of Persons Confined To The Wheel Chair Organisation, the award came in recognition of his large heartedness and act of philanthropy which has touched many lives across the country.
Amb. Ogbonna through his foundation Ignes Ogbonna Foundation, floated an endowment fund with an initial deposit of N10 Million Naira in December 2020 to be made accessible for the purposes of health, education, and economic empowerment for the less privileged starting from his home town Arochukwu in Abia State.

For Amb Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna, kindness comes from within and has grown to become a culture, little wonder he has bagged series of awards and recognition right from his community, the nation and the west African Sub Region, in 2020 his community honored him with Arochukwu Impact Award, The Nigerian Football Supporters Club Named him, Ambassador – NFSC- Nigeria Football Supporter Club because of his love and support for not only football but sports in general, his efforts towards empowering youths across West Africa also fetched him the recognition of Ambassador – Ecowas Youth Council.

These recognitions by different organizations and groups only encourages Amb. Ogbonna to do more towards assisting humanity according to him seeing the needy and the less privileged laugh gives him joy and he can deny himself anything if that will give joy to the poor and the needy.
The recognition by his local government and the youths in west African sub region is an attestation to his efforts towards youth development and empowerment in Sports, skill acquisition etc.

His Widows empowerment program has been described as one of the most thoughtful and well organized initiatives by his foundation.
As you receive this recognition by WHEELCOPO, one can only pray that your strength be doubled and may God replenish and refill your sources as you work towards making our country a better place for everyone to live in.

Where Is Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu’s Administration Headed? (Part2)

By Uche Aguoru

“Era of Dubai Roads In Aba, Over” - Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, this quote by the governor of Abia state during the commissioning of Osusu road in Aba, is not only symbolic but a statement of emphasis on the quality of the roads being done in Abia today under his administration.

The Ikpeazu administration upon assumption of office in 2015 has as part of his administrations 7 developmental pillars, outlined infrastructural development as key towards the pursuit of an enduring total economic rebirth.

He did not hide his resolve to tackle the economic and infrastructural backwardness of entire Abia state and Aba in particular, due to the strategic importance of Aba as the once industrial and commercial capital of west Africa. but shortly after, the infrastructural revampment policy lost steam or seemingly so, resulting in critics and opposition scoffingly dismissing the governor with the Phrase “Okwa Asi Na Nwa Aba Ga Aru Aba”.

My recent tour of aba was primarily to have a firsthand assessment of the roads the governor has been constructing across the commercial city and other parts of the state and from my assessment, the energy and purpose with which Gov. Ikpeazu is investing in reconstructing the roads in Aba and other parts of the state is worthy of commendation.

Driving into the town from Aba Owerri road down to Umungasi, I saw an ongoing construction work, the first thing I gauged was the depth of the drainage knowing the topography of aba, as a city that seats on a flat plane, I know that the biggest challenge to roads in aba is flooding and with the depth of the gutters being constructed and the expertise the handlers are deploying, I have no doubt that the design of the road was done with intense hunger for quality, durability and excellence.

Navigating off Brass junction straight to Ariaria was smooth, growing up in aba, the popular Ama Ikonne was a troublesome spot that defied every solution from the days of the military, I can still remember vividly the day Ndi Aba had to pull Navy Capt. Temi Ejor, the then military administrator of Abia State, down from his vehicle to walk through the Ikonne River in his immaculate white well ironed navy uniform, I can also recall Dr Orji Uzor kalu, as the governor of Abia state, reconstructing that portion of Faulks road on two different occasions, same with former Governor T.A Orji but as soon as the rains came, same spot will fail immediately making it very difficult for motorists to access Ariaria market.

The myth then was that a mysterious Mami-water resides in that spot and that was the reason for the all year round flooding of that spot, but I was amazed that I couldn't find the famous Ikonne River any more.

The last time I visited Osusu road was in 2017, in company of my friend an ex-international who out of frustration sold a property he owned in Osusu at a very cheap rate and relocated his family to Lagos, we had to park our vehicle at Okigwe road, boarded a keke that took us to Osusu road by faulks and trekked the remaining distance swimming through the mud with our trousers folded to the knee to hand the property over to the agent that eventually sold it at a cost far below what he bought it in 2002. But today I saw life return to Osusu road, businesses are back, people are putting up new structures, children can now return to Osusu road primary school and real estate is revived.

We made a drive through Eziukwu, but couldn’t connect Milverton from there because of the ongoing construction at that end of the road we had to pass through Azikiwe to CPS to the aba main park in order to get to Milverton, just like Upper Iweka in Onitsha, Milverton Park is one of the busiest transit points in west Africa, full of people and activities, from the 70s down to the early 2000, the park operates on 24 hours, 7 days a week turn with all transport companies having operational base there, Milverton park hosted all manner of direct and indirect employment, there are super markets, food vendors were busy serving hot and delicious food to travelers and others who had one business or the other within the park round the clock, but all of a sudden, the famous Milverton park was shut down and all the businesses that returns millions of naira daily either died or relocated, the famous Ndafia supermarket one of the foremost departmental shops and other businesses that the famous Milverton hosted disappeared due to bad road and decayed infrastructure, the gully that developed there could swallow a full Marcopolo bus rendering the entire Milverton impassable while most businesses the area hosted went into coma.

You can now understand my curiosity when I learnt that Dr. Ikpeazu has fixed Milverton and Osusu roads, I needed to see things by myself, I had to connect the rest of the fully completed and ongoing road projects in Aba, I made out time to visit Ojike, Eziukwu, Ebenma St, Jerry Kalu Avenue and Egege Roads all completed.

I made attempt to drive to Ngwa Road through east street but I couldn’t drive beyond Ngwa Road by East due to the construction work going on there that necessitated the blocking of that road, under that hellish traffic and confusion happening there, I had to struggle my way on foot to witness the construction going on there, I beheld a massive drainage channel, the professionalism, the equipment and expertise the contractor handling that end is displaying is very encouraging, work is also going on at Obohia and Ohanku roads, the watershed management project which is intended to check the perennial flooding is going on at great speed.

Aba in recent times had experienced quality infrastructural revolution especially in roads construction as never been done before except under the administration of Chief Sam Mbakwe, and that is what an average Abian has been crying for, the administration of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has been very intentional in its drive towards economic and infrastructural rejuvenation of the state, all an average aba resident has asked for is sensitivity on the part of government and Dr. Ikpeazu has shown responsiveness through his works in recent times.

A lot of roads in Aba still needs to be touched, aba is designed in such a way that almost all the roads are interlinked and every road is as important as the other, the traffic and indiscipline management guys are doing a lot of great work to keep the town flowing even as construction works are going on in almost every part of the town, but it appears indiscipline resides in Aba, Aba residents needs reorientation and character reformation, there should be strict approach to enforcement of discipline in aba.

A lot has been done, a lot is still being done, a lot is still left undone by the Okezie Ikpeazu administration, just as leadership is a responsibility, citizenship is also a responsibility. it is in the interest of every one of us that Ikpeazu receives our support and encouragement to complete all the projects he has on-going and more.

If you must get Abia right, You must get Aba working,
The big question is, can Ikpeazu get Aba working again?

Aguoru
Writes From Umuahia

Typical of every structural design still in its planning or formative stage, except the architect or the visioner, one hardly beholds the beauty of such a structure until it gets to its developmental level where everyone can see, feel and appreciate the beauty of the structure, so it is with the administration of Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD, when he took over the administration of the state in may 29th, 2015.

Many of us that supported and campaigned with him across the state prior to his assumption of office based on our conviction and belief in his personality and pedigree became disappointed two years down the line having felt that our expectations of rapid and automatic transformation promised, aren't coming as expected, yours sincerely and others took to our social media handles and other media channels to criticize and dismiss the administration as having fallen short of expectation.

Despite the many distractions faced by his administration, he has remained focused and resolute in his dream of not only returning the glorious days of Aba as the commercial and industrial hub of west Africa but his vision and promises of delivering quality infrastructure across Abia state remained on-course despite political and financial distractions.

Most recently Governor Ikpeazu’s popularity has taken a quantum leap with the number and quality of roads under construction or completed alongside other infrastructural works such as street lighting, quality drainages, flood and erosion control projects etc. especially within Aba and Umuahia which has marked the governor out as a strong character and a resolute visionary.

With the recent groundbreaking turn around in infrastructural deliverables by Dr. Ikpeazu's, administration especially in the area of road infrastructure, all his critics has been left mouth agape, confused and gazing in distant admiration about what is going on in Abia today, one lesson I have learnt from Dr. Ikpeazu's style of administration is that a man with vision and focus is hardly distracted, he has proven that he is a man who takes his time to plan and deliver and does not engage in leadership showmanship.

Only a professional and sworn opposition or worse still a bitter critic with a bile of hate who is firmly strapped in his/her duty post will fail to openly appreciate the administrations progress in road construction.

Every successful administration has its core policy thrust, What now is the focus and direction of the Okezie Ikpeazu Administration?

A close study of Dr. Ikpeazu’s administration policy direction will reveal his untiring drive towards a total economic rejuvenation of the famous Enyimba city which from all indicators had shown that once the mercantile city is brought back to its economic footing the entire state will automatically jump off its current economic coma and experience boost as never before.

Aba will bounce back to reckoning as the commercial destination of the entire West Coast of Africa and beyond when the Enyimba Economic City Project (EEC) comes on stream, the over 500 billion Naira investment has the capacity of generating over 700,000 direct jobs, the project which is sitting on a 9,803-hectare is strategically located in close proximity to Onne and Portharcourt seaports. this project will provide a major boost to the development of manufacturing and industrialization in the entire South East and South South.

The Enyimba Automated Shoe Factory in Aba, another initiative of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu led administration, has been described as the biggest and best shoe manufacturing factory in Nigeria. The factory which has since started production has an installed capacity for the production of 5000 pairs of shoes every day which translates to about 2 million pairs of shoes annually, according to experts in the industry, the factory houses some of the best shoe making equipment in Africa and its already manufacturing and supplying boots being used by the Nigerian Army, the Air Force, Railway staff, the Police, Youth Corps Members etc.

With the realization that SMEs are the biggest employers of labour globally and plays a major role in national and regional development, the Ikpeazu administration has developed the vision of making Abia, the SME capital of Nigeria and have introduced a lot of small and medium scale empowerment programmes aimed at aiding the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises.

The Ikpeazu administration in partnership with FCMB introduced Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP) with FCMB offering loans and technical support to eligible and aspiring young entrepreneurs who have viable business ideas with individuals accessing up to N3million, while projects jointly owned by 3 to 5 qualified beneficiaries can access up to N10million.

The setting up of Abia SME Microfinance Bank in Aba is another catalyst towards the revitalization of the state's economy, this micro–Credit Scheme designed to give low-income traders the opportunity of accessing loans at low interest rate is aimed at saving them from the rigours associated with the processes of having to look for collateral before you can be given a loan from commercial banks which in most cases comes at a cut throat interest rate.

Beyond the above stated, there are so many other economic empowerment programs that the Ikpeazu administration had embarked upon in the past 5 years of which space may not allow me to elucidate on, some of these sustainable economic programs, projections and policies has earned him and the state so many national acclaims and is gradually but progressively boosting the economy of the state.

The “Proudly Made in Aba” campaign will perhaps go down in history as one of the biggest achievements of governor Okezie Ikpeazu administration, this initiative which is leveraged on the industrial, commercial and entrepreneurial potentials of Enyimba city has gained global awareness and recognition, people are now proud to come to Aba and made their clothes and shoes, if the current drive is sustained and enlarged this campaign has the capacity to grow the regions economy.

I quite recognize the existence of so many gray areas of which the Ikpeazu administration is yet to improve on, but there is no doubt that the administration of Governor Ikpeazu has laid a solid foundation for the greater economic development of the State.

For all these efforts to be fully appreciated and felt, there must be an intentional effort at addressing the environmental and infrastructural shortfalls that makes it difficult for external investments to thrive, the government must also give a rethink to the way it carries out revenue yielding businesses and give an urgent attention to the challenges of housing, security, water and waste management.

Aguoru
Writes from Umuahia

Communique issued at the end of the stake holders meeting held at the residence of Dr. Kasarachi Enyinna, on Sunday the 10th of January 2021 and organized by Ukwa West APC Stake Holders Forum.

In as much as our great party the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia state has become the wishful destination of every progressive politician in the state, it will amount to pedestrian insensitivity for us as standing party faithfuls to stand aloof and watch while the sanctity and sanity of our party is being desecrated.

Let's not be misunderstood or misrepresented, we respect the person and office of His Excellency Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the senate chief whip and the leader of the party in Abia state, but we will vehemently resist any attempt by some people or group of persons to insult and violate the long standing policy of our great party in Ukwa West by admitting and registering Hon. Nwaji into the party from Igbere.

Everybody who had become a member of the APC including His Excellency Senator Orji Kalu, first registered from his ward and the ward stake holders and existing members welcomed and introduced such a person to the party at the state, zonal level and then national levels, it therefore amounts to an aberration that an intending member will be inducted into the party from Igbere without notifying his ward in Ukwa, we will not accept that and will not welcome Hon. Nwaji as a member of the APC in Ukwa West and for purposes of clarity he is unknown to us and does not exist as our member.

We do not have anything against Hon. Nwaji, joining our party or the person of Senator Orji Kalu, receiving him into the party, but we insist that the right things must be done, Ukwa West is the home of the APC and as much as we know and concerned, Hon. Nwaji is still not a bonafide member of the APC Family in Ukwa.

we make this bold statement today and we stand by it until the right thing is done, some of us are foundational members of this party in Ukwa, and we need every son or daughter of Ukwa west to join us in our struggle to be part of those who will end bad governance in Abia State by joining forces with the progressives, but we won't stand to watch a few persons due to position or friendship with some influential members of the party infiltrate our ranks and make a mess of our efforts thereby creating bad blood amongst our members.

CONCLUSION

The caucus expressed its dissatisfaction with the role of some leaders of the party whom they believed knew the right thing but have refused to guide Hon. Nwaji, aright, while we wish to remind the leadership of the party that the precedence they are setting is very wrong and must not be allowed to stand before it generates badblood amongst our faithfuls and dedicated members in Ukwa west, what we need in Ukwa is a lasting relationship amongst members of our party which we intend to leverage on in 2023.

We demand that if Hon. Nwaji wants to join our party, he must start from the ward and allow us as stake holders to accept and receive him.

Sign............

Chief John Ogunka - State Vice Chairman



Mr. Chinonso Ebere - Obuzo Ward Chairman



Dr. kasarachi Enyinna - Member



Chief Ibe Ememe - Member



Mr. Chijioke Nza - Member

In the last couple of months there has been deluge of commissioning of completed projects while many others are still ongoing, these harvests of infrastructural deliverables are visible across the 6 local government Areas of Abia Central senatorial district courtesy of Senator T.A. Orji.

Coming from the opposition, though a second term senator, Ochendo, must have weighed in his political capacity, experience and sagacity effectively to be able to attract such generous number of democratic deliverables, he has also proved that he is a senator who understands his environment and passionate about his constituency, he also understands how to maximize the legislative business to create developmental impact in every part of his senatorial district.

These harvest of constituency projects by Senator Orji has also further amplified his performance rating in the senate that placed his current report card as the most productive senator (June 2019 – May 2020), this may be heart breaking to his detractors but those who knows and follows the senator's activities, are aware, he is very active and hardworking and deserves greater recognition.

Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji, has within his period in the green chambers recorded Seven (7) Bills to his Standing in the Bills Chart of the 9th Senate with one of his bills on the establishment Of the “Nigerian Centre For Disease Control And Prevention (NCDC) And For Matters Connected Therewith” passed into law. This bill was widely hailed as not only foresighted but timeous given the outbreak of Covid-19 and other infectious diseases.

He has also attracted the construction of twelve Classroom Blocks at Okwuta Community, Umuahia North Local Government Area, with conveniences and Headmaster’s Office. Twelve Classroom Block at Ikem Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, with conveniences and Headmaster’s Office, Ongoing Road Construction Project at Nbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, construction and equipping of Umuariaga Health center in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Umuetegha primary health center, Isialangwa North, Primary Health Center at Ukome Umuahia North LGA.

Senator T.A Orji had also undertaken rural electrification projects and had delivered transformers to so many communities in Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North/South, Umuahia North/South and Ikwuano Local Government Areas.

The annual Ochendo scholarship scheme which had empowered over 1000 students in tertiary institutions across Abia central, this year had over 100 students benefitting to the tune of 100.000 naira each.

Other sustainable empowerment programs attracted by Ochendo include Agricultural Empowerment Training Programme at the National Agricultural Mechanization, lllorin, Kwara State, Empowerment Training Programme for Widows at the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Umuahia, Abia State, A Five Day Training of Youths on SNAILERY with Start Up Kits at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Annual Scholarship Program for over One Hundred Students drawn from the six local government Areas of Abia Central Senatorial District etc.

Senator Orji’s records in the red chambers has remained tops in the list of all those who had represented the senatorial district till date and it is therefore debatable if any of his predecessors has rivalled his achievements given the volume of democratic deliverables attracted by him within his period in the red chambers.

Ochendo, having severally repeated his intention to retire from active politics in 2023, has assigned a lead to whoever will take over his seat at the red chambers but before you bow out, I must state that you have done well but like Oliver Twist “Abia Central Needs More”

Uche Aguoru

Writes From Umuahia

A group known as International Corruption Fight Organization is calling for the investigation of the six months tenure as Transition Committee Chairman of Isuikwuato LGA of the newly sworn in chairman of the council, Hon.Chima Agbaeze over an alleged misappropriation of over #61m.

The group questioned how Chima Agbaeze's led caretaker Committee can spend such amount of money on unverified projects in Isuikwuato. The group is basing its call on a document made available to it from a source.

The group also questioned how the Chima Agbaeze led caretaker Committee can claim to have spent #2,440,500 for the reconstruction of the council's legislative chambers ,repair of road from the council's headquarters to Isuikwuato High School at cost of #8,554,150, Another #5,440,750 for energizing of Umuobiala transformer,#20,000,000 for the construction of Isuikwuato motor park Ahaba Isenyi/Acha Rice Depot,Another #15,000,000 for the installation of solar lights,#3,000,000 for school desks ,#6,000,000 for evacuation of refuse dump in Ahaba/Uzuakoli Road and another #1,000,000 on a scam back to school program.

The anti -corruption organization queried how Chima Agbaeze led caretaker Committee claimed to have spent #6,000,000 of Isuikwuato people's money on just refuse disposal, the group said they wondered whether Chima Agbaeze was exploring crude oil ,that he has to expend such a huge amount on just refuse disposal.

The group also questioned how Chima Agbaeze can claim to have spent #20,000,000 to construct a park in Isuikwuato. It described that claim as false and unverifiable.

The group also called on Chima Agbaeze and his team to explain to the people of Isuikwuato what sort of back to school program they executed that gulp the entire some of #1,000,000.They also ask him to state the schools that benefitted from the desks he claimed to have expended #3,000,000 to execute.

ICFO said it is surprised over the claim by the Agbaeze led committee that it spent #15,000,000 for the installation of solar lights and another #5,440,750 just to power a transformer.

The group is therefore calling on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the Abia state house of Assembly, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission to Investigate the alleged monumental fraud perpetrated by Hon. Chima Agbaeze and his cohorts amounting to the tune of #61, 435, 400 in just six months.

The group said if over sixty one million naira was allegedly misappropriated by Chima Agbaeze in just six months, they wondered what will happen to the revenue that accrues to the people of Isuikwuato in the next two years.

The group spokes person Chima Okezie Okoro revealed that they will be heading to the court to compel anti corruption agencies of government to investigate Chima Agbaeze if the newly sworn in council boss does not give Isuikwuato people details of how he spent above #61m in his six months as TC Chairman.

A group under the aegis of concerned Abians in diaspora (CAD) have called on governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state to reconsider his decision and rescind the suspension of his chief of staff Associate Prof. ACB Agbazuere, in a letter signed by Engr. Kelechi Arungwa, the Chairman and Mr. Noble Nwigwe, the secretary, they pleaded with the governor to return Dr. Agbazuere to his position stating that since the death of Chief Chijioke Nwakodo that no other person has been able to organize the administrative structure of his government the way Dr. Agbazuere did, the group said that in as much as they do not want to dwell on the righteousness or otherwise of Dr. Agbazuere’s action during the visit of the man of God to government house Umuahia, prophet Chukwuemeka Ohaneme’ but stated that governor Ikpeazu should not forget in a hurry the positive attainments of Ass. Prof. Agbazuere as the Chief of Staff to the governor a position he has so well handled, we can remember that under his watch as the chief of staff he had carried out major reconstructions and remodeling of Okpara square, and many other structures within the government house, Dr. Agbazuere was also able to checkmate some fraud being carried out in government house without the governor's knowledge, his coming to government house in Umuahia as the governor's chief of staff had introduced some reforms that has helped the government reduce cost of running governance and made sure that government house staff attend to their duties.

The group stated that Dr. ACB Agbazuere had assisted the governor greatly in pursuing the goals of his administration and had brought in sanity and discipline into the government house in Umuahia.

They insisted that what happened during the visit of the man of God was an honest mistake that should not attract suspension but at worst a caution because Dr. Agbazuere’s mission towards bringing the man of God to government house in Umuahia is for the betterment of the state, they opined that every government including the Federal Government undergoes such spiritual exercises and that bringing Odumeje to come and pray for the welfare of the state should not attract punishment.

They advised the governor not to heed to the pressure of the opposition and those who do not mean well for his administration but to focus on the positives that Dr. Agbazuere had brought into his administration, the group described the call by the opposition for the governor to sack his CoS as one done out of fear of the personality of Dr. Agbazuere and not of good intention stating that the same man that they are condemning now for visiting and praying for the government of the state was the same man of God they praised when he visited senator Orji Kalu in his residence.

They prayed to the governor to reconsider his stand and return Dr. Agbazuere so as to continue with the good works he is doing for him and the state.



Kelechi Arungwa Noble Nwigwe

Chairman Secretary

The speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Right Hon. Chinedum Orji has advised Abians on the need to embrace agriculture by returning to the farm, Rt. Hon. Orji who spoke through, Hon. Jerry Uzosike member representing Umuahia South State constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, said no society can attain food sufficiency and economic sustainability without agriculture.

The speaker who was represented by Hon. Uzosike, made the speech during the 2020 annual harvest and thanksgiving of the Catholic Diocese Of Umuahia, St. Finbarr's Parish, titled: Give Thanks In All Circumstances For This Is Gods Will For You In Christ Jesus (1st.Thess 5;18) he said, the only way to survive the current economic hardship that Nigerans are facing is to face reality and return to the farm.

Barr. Uzosike’ who read from, Genesis 8:22 ‘’While the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease’’ said, ‘’God has endowed the state with abundance of fertile land, agile and enterprising human capital that is capable of mass producing the states food requirements.”

He urged Abians to continue to live in peace, tolerate one another and continue to pray and put the nation and its leaders in prayer, stressing that there is no condition that is too hard for a prayerful and hardworking Christian to conquer

Access bank had sacked over 300 of its staff in a singular exercise in Anambra and Abia states, according to information made available to The News Gazette Online by some of the affected staff, Access Bank had towards the end of November, in defiance to the central bank and Bankers Committee directive issued termination letters to over 300 workers mostly contract staff.

in a letter received by the affected staff through their contracting firms the bank had alleged incompetence as being the reason for their disengagement.

In an interview with some of the affected staff, they dismissed the claims by Access Bank as false stating that some of them had served the bank for upwards of 6 to 12 years without a single query in their files, one of those disengaged said he had served the bank for 12 years and was promoted four times, he also stated that in a recent appraisal he was rated ‘A’ as the best staff in his branch and was to be awarded Appraisal bonus by his branch before the disengagement letter came.

They claimed that the reason for their sack was to fulfil the planned lay-off initiated by the bank during the covid-19 lockdown but was stopped by the CBN and Bankers Committee and wondered why Access Bank is going ahead with the planned lay-off at this time without recourse to CBN directive.

A senior management staff of the bank who spoke to us on condition of anonymity told the News Gazette Online that the only reason why they are disengaged was to hire new staff with National Diploma (ND) so as to dodge paying some of them their due entitlements or upgrade their staff status as the bank is trying to cut overhead since the country's economy is going through recession, he argued that if it was as a result of incompetence as the bank claimed, when did they begin the assessment as most of the staff disengaged were some of our best till date, if the assessment was recent why were women on maternity leave who have not been working for 3 months affected? he queried.

In a data discovered by the News Gazette Online, contract staff represented 43% of total bank staff and they were the most affected of the job cuts in the bank since 2019 as their contract do not provide them with the condition of service enjoyed by permanent staff.

Recall that Access Bank threatened to downsize staff in April, the CBN issued a press release confirming that it had agreed with banks to suspend the sacking of bank staff.

In the press release, the CBN maintained that, “in order to help minimize and mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families and livelihoods, no bank in Nigeria shall retrench or lay-off any staff of any cadre (including full-time and part-time).”

The Apex Bank also insisted that banks are required to first obtain approval from CBN before any staff is laid off in the event that it was absolutely necessary, while the Federal Government warned employers against sacking workers because of the economic slump occasioned by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

But the question now is, did Access Bank get CBN approval to lay off over 300 staff from Abia and Anambra states?