₦airaland Forum

Mrs. Obiano Commissions Toilets in two Markets
       ...Restates Commitment to Charity
By Daniel Eze

Wife of the Governor of Anambra State and founder of the charity organization, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative, CAFE, Dr. (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme) has commissioned two toilet projects on 18 December 2021 at Eke Fada Market, Owerre-Ezukala and Afor Enugwu-Umuonyia, Orumba South Local Government Area.

The projects, powered by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, are among the twenty-two already built by CAFE in select rural markets across Anambra State and donated to help stop open defecation.

The toilets, which come with steady running water and standby generator set, are expected to provide decent enclosure for traders, especially the market women, and promote personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness.

Speaking at each of the markets, Mrs. Obiano, represented by the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal, Architect Mike Okonkwo, thanked the people for voting for the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in November 6 governorship election. She noted that even though her husband's tenure is officially winding down in March next year, she is still committed to continue working through her NGO to improve fortunes of the less privileged in the society.


The governor's wife stated that the toilet projects with many other programmes of CAFE, are her way of supporting her husband's leadership efforts, asked the women who would be taking care of the projects to ensure that they are properly and constantly maintained.

She also expressed happiness that her husband, Governor Obiano, would leave office with his shoulders high, having laid a strong foundation for successful leadership in his more than seven years in power.

In his remarks, Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Emeka Ozumba, who is also CAFE's Project Manager, explained that through the rural market toilet scheme Mrs. Obiano aims to protect the dignity of women and give them a sense of decency, as well as boost the campaign to stop open defecation and hygiene-related sicknesses in the communities.

Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba South, Chief Cyprian Okereke, in his remarks said that the governor's wife has effectively used CAFE to set a template for social intervention in Anambra State and beyond. In the same vein, the President General of Owerre-Ezukala, Barrister Anayo Emejuo, and his Enugwu-Umuonyia counterpart, Mr Hillary Mbanusi, said that the toilet projects would help greatly in the markets. They praised the governor's wife for providing solid support to her husband's legacies.

The women of Owerre-Ezukalla and Enugwu Umuonyia were not left out as they sang and danced whilst commending Osodieme for fulfilling her promises to their respective communities.

Governor Obiano: When will they stop underrating him?

By James Eze

It is hard to believe but true that governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State is one of the most terribly underrated and wrongly vilified political leaders in the South East. This may not sound strange to anyone who is aware that much of Obiano’s eight years in office have been spent fending off brutal attacks from his predecessor. The last of these cruel attacks was a vacuous story planted in a national daily, alleging that he was on the watch-list of an anti-graft agency. The story has been proven to be a piece of poorly couched propaganda fueled by vendetta. Indeed, the campaign to distract Obiano and expose him to hate and ridicule has been consistent, far ranging and vicious.

It was therefore not surprising to hear Sam Amadi wailing on Facebook about Obiano’s final unveiling. In a post entitled “So surprising that Obiano has a legacy project,” and shared on December 8, 2021, Amadi, a former gubernatorial aspirant in Imo State wailed thusly, “I am traumatized that somewhere in the future, Obiano could even be considered more consequential than my much beloved Peter Obi. Hard to bear.” Such audacity!

Amadi was writing about the wave making Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport and the gravitas it has given Obiano as a visionary leader. He is deeply pained that Obiano had accomplished what his hero could not even dream of. It is somewhat surprising that Amadi who prides himself as a thinker and strategist had allowed himself to be swept away by the fiendish efforts of the former governor to make his successor look like a poor waxwork. It would be unfair to blame Amadi though. Obiano is a victim of vindictive campaign. No other governor in Nigeria has had an influential revenge-seeking enemy breath down his neck for eight years like him. We are not talking about an ordinary enemy here. We are talking about a man who enjoys the adulation of many Nigerians. Something had to give. And it did. Many otherwise smart people whom you would have expected to take certain stories with a pinch of salt also believe the calumny campaign against Obiano. If only they knew better. Their own moment of awakening is sure to come.

There is a simple explanation for that though. For one, it is far easier to swallow a blatant falsehood about a Nigerian political leader than to believe their innocence. For another, Nigerians hold their political leaders in acute suspicion. It takes a lot of mind bending to convince them that a governor is not a spineless wimp whose sole mission in office is to steal public funds. This perception is often hardened if there is a deliberate and sustained campaign to strengthen it.

And that is why, they have continued to underrate Obiano in spite of his array of glittering legacies that dot the Anambra landscape. That is why they have refused to acknowledge his stellar achievements. It would be too much kindness to accept that someone so viciously maligned had actually done better than their hero. The pain of this admission is clearly embedded in Sam Amadi’s voice and it shone when he wrote “I have always believed that Obiano was a mistake. The brutal criminality of the leadership of APGA on the Imo Governorship Primary in 2018 added to this dislike.” Amadi believed everything the former governor’s spin doctors spewed out about Obiano without question, without second thoughts. How pathetic!

Nevertheless, we would be naïve to assume that Amadi is alone in this. In fact, Amadi deserves our respect for having the courage to admit his error of judgement; to finally wash the voodoo off his face and come to full wakefulness. Many others who were struck blind by the former governor’s voodoo men have yet to regain their sight. Not even the eventual commencement of commercial flights in the Anambra International Airport can jolt them out of that spell.

Obiano’s achievements speak for him. The Awka International Convention Center was designed to look like America’s iconic B52 Bomber. The 10,000 capacity center speaks of the huge aspirations of Anambra State in its symbolic design and immense capacity. The Awka City Stadium is an eye-catchy sporting facility that meets FIFA standards. The Anambra International Airport is a monument to the king-size ambition of Anambra State. The three flyovers in Awka and Amawbia are landmarks of greatness. The Gold medal won by Anambra school girls at the World technovation Fair in USA in 2018 is a testament to Obiano’s revolution in the education sector. The mechanized rice farms in Ayamelum, the ultramodern rice mill in Igbariam, the largest poultry farm in the South East, the longest bridge in the South East and the eventual acceptance of Anambra State as an oil-bearing state are all immeasurable legacies of Willie Obiano. Sadly, those who are willfully in the firm grip of the false atmosphere induced by the former governor have chosen to live in absolute denial of these facts. It is their choice.

But the question is; why is it impossible to accept that Anambra did not descend into the abyss of bad governance after the former governor? Why is it difficult to accept that Willie Obiano has not only proven, against popular belief, to be an effective political leader but also a smart politician who has outfoxed his greatest political enemy and handed him three defeats in a row? Why is it so easy to underrate Willie Obiano? How many times must a hunter slay a lion before he is addressed as ogbu agu!

And just a few months to handover, the verdict of history is out. The beloved predecessor pales in stature when placed beside his successor. Pound for pound, the difference is clear. The former has illusions of greatness. The later stands on hard surface of greatness.

Anambra State Politics: Why Obiano Remains Condemned in Obi’s Court

Okechukwu Anarado
After about seven years of superficial veiling of the strained relationship between Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra State and his immediate predecessor, Chief Peter Obi, the veneer restraints and pretexts appear to have fallen overboard; the recent decoys deployed by Obi’s media handlers in seeking to grimly smear the image of Governor Obiano in the consciousness of the public so suggests.

Very recently, the social media space was awash with reports of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s purported placement of Gov. Willie Obiano in their watch-list. The Commission was said to have formally written the Immigration Services advising them to keep tabs on the governor and ensure that he does not escape abroad after handing over power to his successor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, on the 17th of March, 2022. These speculations were predicated on trumped-up allegations of financial crimes against the governor. How puerile! One wonders why and how such primely discreet investigative duty of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission can or should be conceived, planned, monitored and almost executed on the media space, majorly on social media. A close investigation points to ex-governor Obi’s camp as the source of the disinformation designed to malign Obiano, but which to greater measures ridicules the sponsor, and the corporate image of the nation’s foremost economic and financial ethos gatekeepers – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In their obsession to undermine the nobility of Gov. Obiano’s person and impugn the respect/privileges of his office, these Obiano’s unkindest detractors would neither spare the integrity of hallowed agencies of government, nor mind the collateral maleficent injuries and revulsions their deliberate lies cause the public.

In what appears Obi’s final push to get at Gov. Obiano before his tenure rounds off, his men have chosen a suicide-like struggle in trying to unearth and impose validity on their age-long speculative media charges of financial impropriety against the governor. The persistent efforts of Obi’s men to force their unending lies against Obiano into the consciousness of the public make discerning minds to ruminate over the root of the seemingly intractable feud that would not allow the governor and his predecessor peaceable thoughts about each other. Nobody is deceived by the deafening figures and weighty accusations bandied by Obi’s men on which Obiano’s purported hound rests. It is notable that since Obi, who ruled Anambra State for eight years under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and handed over to Obiano (17 March, 2014), jumped ship to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP (October, 2014), the relationship between the two illustrious sons of Anambra has increasingly been in tatters. This, despite the efforts of respected personages across the clergy, traditional stools and public service to bridge the gap between the two and stem the predictable conflict amongst the numerous admirers of the two feuding political leaders.

Although Chief Obi has repeatedly made public pronouncements that he holds nothing against his successor, it is public knowledge that he has been seething over Obiano’s failure or refusal to refund him over N7bn he claimed he expended on the electioneering that produced Obiano as his successor. This core subject of Obi’s anger was disclosed by the same voices from Obi’s camp who have ever since the disagreement resumed maintained surreptitious calls for Obiano’s head: investing heavily in sponsored media distractions of his government, and vainly insisting always on pronouncing non-performance verdict on the governor.

It all started with Obi’s hyped claim of N75bn bequest to Obiano. This was so slyly sold to the public by Obi’s men that Obiano’s belated sound rebuttal of the validity hardly corrected the popular impression that had quickly taken a life of its own. It is of remarkable note that when engaged at enlightened fora, the same Obi’s men did openly submit to Obiano’s superior position that there was no such cash legacy. But they would mischievously go back to the false claim with the belief that the public already fell for the bait. Based on that assumed initial moral high ground, they would latch on the phantom N75bn bequest each time they dream-up unsubstantiated vicious attacks on Obiano, hoping always to mine from the naivety of the gullible public. But Anambra people, who know and understand their ex-governor very well, would not be deceived in perpetuity by Obi. They would not be pulled by the nose by the man whose negative wishes for Obiano have left bereft of fair judgment of an administration into whose hands he dutifully laboured to entrust Anambra.

Obiano’s sin against Obi, for which his crucifixion is sought by his benefactor-in-Chief, could only be compared to Senator Chris Ngige’s ‘mortal sin’ against the Uba’s which caused the liberation of Anambra State from the morbid stranglehold of voracious godfathers who would not let Anambra be. Ngige suffered untold woes and made huge personal sacrifices to live his conviction for free and better Anambra. Today, Obiano is on the throes of vile ambushes tactically deployed by a subtle but vicious capitalist godfather who would not let his (godfather’s) presumed gains go without putting up a good fight. And the godfather cares less how much goes into the ruinous fight insofar as the target suffers commensurate character bruises.

This explains the abysmal condemnation Obiano and his administration suffer in Obi’s hand. In the many years of Anambra’s acclaim as the safest state in Nigeria, Obi’s men find it very hard to commend the gargantuan feat; Anambra Schools win almost every winnable academic trophy under Obiano’s watch, it is Obi’s labour; Obiano changes the infrastructural bearing of Awka, and these deliberate naysayers, talking through their hats, would announce the collapse of the three flyovers along the Amawbia-Awka axis of the express way, even before the flyovers were completed; they would readily offer the bill of quantities and imaginary cost of the construction. The list of Obi’s negative insinuations against Obiano abound. Neither the imposing International Convention Centre almost completed in Awka, nor the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport built and made functional by Chief Willie Obiano in record time of less than two years could elicit any kind sentiment from Obi’s camp. Rather Obi’s men would barefacedly lie that Obiano selfishly built the Airport in his hometown; they would dispel a project that was Obi’s missed dream as a white elephant venture. Shouldn’t there be a limit to anger, envy, sense of loss or other human passions! The instances of Obi’s struggle to negate everything Obiano expose the ex-governor’s inane affectation in judging his successor. Such profoundly subjective judgments are therefore suspect and cannot be trusted by discerning minds.

If I were Chief Peter Obi, I would rather advise a positive critique of Chief Willie Obiano’s government. This will make room for objective critiquing of the low and high points of the administration. Only this approach will show Obi a statesman whose interest in national politics is public knowledge. Obi should spare the rest of us the victimhood he is nursing over the poor returns his godfather enterprise yields him. Obi should know that he is not and cannot be as saintly as he would want the public to believe. His repeated attacks on Obiano against Obiano’s unbleached amenable disposition to peace in their fold is a worrisome backlash on Obi’s public image. It is only ennobling for the aggressor here to sheath his sword in his interest and that of society. Obiano might not be the best thing to have happened to Anambra; neither Ngige, Obi nor any before them was. But Obiano’s sincerity of purpose in governance, his compassionate heart and his ingenuous choices in governance have unarguably offered the state some of the best things it craves after, topmost of which are high sense of safety and freedom (the outburst of insecurity surrounding the gubernatorial election, regardless), the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport, the widely celebrated choice of a successor in Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who, he truly believes, is greater than he (Obiano) is; and more importantly, an emboldened Anambra spirit. Chief Obiano is finishing strong, no doubt; and no amount of wilful subterfuge by whosoever will deny him the reward of his impactful labour in service to Anambra and Ndi-Anambra.

Okechukwu Anarado writes from Adazi-Nnukwu

OBIANO RETIRES OBI FROM POLITICS

(By a special correspondent)


The end may have come for the political journey of former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi at the hands of Governor Willie Obiano.

The defeat of the PDP in the November 6, Anambra State governorship election is seen by political observers as a personal defeat for Obi. The PDP's candidate in the election, Mr Valentine Ozigbo was Obi's personal choice. Ozigbo's nomination immediately triggered the exit of five gubernatorial aspirants from the PDP.

The result of the November 6, 2021 poll won by the APGA's Professor Chukwuma Soludo marked the third crushing defeat for Obi in the State since 2017 at the hands of APGA led by Willie Obiano.

Mr Peter Obi, who nurses vice presidential or presidential ambition first suffered stinging defeat at the hands of Obiano in the State governorship poll of 2017. In the election, Obi's handpicked PDP candidate, Oseloka Obaze was beaten to a distant third position after Obi had sworn to stop Obiano's reelection "with the last drop of my blood."

Analysts say the former governor may have misread his low political weight with the pattern of voting in the southeast in the 2019 presidential election in which Obi was PDP's vice presidential candidate.

Dr Magnus Ihekwere, a university don, said the votes cast for PDP in the southeast in the election was not for an individual. "Those were protest votes against marginalisation by Buhari's government. It didn't matter who and who were on the PDP ticket. The votes were built on sentiments for another Ekwueme after 35 years."

Another analyst and former councillor in Idemili North Local Council , Hon Ike Okafor agrees. Okafor said the result of the House of Assembly election in Anambra State, a week after the 2019 presidential poll, showed who was on ground in the State. Governor Willie Obiano led APGA to win 24 out of the 30 State assembly seats.

Pundits contend that the latest defeat of Obi and his candidate in this year's governorship election was a strong indication of his non acceptance by the state electorate.

APGA easily won the election on the combination of Governor Willie Obiano's achievements and Soludo's qualifications.

Obi's consistent losses have exposed his actual worth outside of the media, opines Madam Joy Nwuka, a trader. "Politics is not making noise in the newspapers everyday. They said they brought Obiano into politics. But see how Akpokuedike has been winning."

The fear of Obi's continued slide into political oblivion is high given the unwritten rule of Nigerian politics that a politician going for top political office must first deliver his base to his party in elections.

A FORMER GOVERNOR & HIS BOYS, NOT EFCC, ARE AFTER OBIANO!


Any close watcher of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano's style of governance and the devilish envy it has drawn from a former governor & his boys for nearly eight years would have predicted these lifeless insinuations flying around as connecting Obiano and the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Any time Governor Obiano’s profile peaks; and Anambra State's image rates high in good news, the former governor’s personal envy runs riots. Days would not go before e-rats and pay-per-attack writers sponsored by this sworn political opponent would fling concocted tale all over the place to deflate the governor's public reward. Anambra people and in deed, all well-meaning Nigerians should have seen it coming. The massive victory of the All-Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the Anambra State Gubernatorial election 2021 that produced and promises another sterling leadership for the state re-ignited a new Anambra hope but regrettably seem to have murdered sleep for the hardened minds of a certain former governor & co who cannot live to see anything in Anambra state that essentially shoots up Obiano's rating. In foreboding tones, community clusters of Anambra people currently discuss that the recent triumph of APGA has hurt him far deeper than the electoral loss suffered by his own party. On the other hand, the All-Progressives Congress (APC) candidate has so far woefully lost in all kangaroo attempts at using the courts to steal power in Anambra State. But the vicarious mourner on APC's candidate’s behalf is the vicious former governor. Anambra people know his antics so well that before the choreographed publication of the incoherent news of EFCC and the placement of Obiano on their imaginary Watchlist, it was almost certain that the bruised would seek Obiano’s pound of rising popularity flesh else how. It was however uncertain how and from where the counter offensive would emanate. 


Suddenly there was this unnecessary hoopla over perceived mistakes in an affidavit in support filled out by the winner of the election, Prof Chukwuma Soludo. It is only a man that was born with the heart of Lucifer that can live with his own loss but never with the thought of that loss actually meaning a win for another. As people made fun of the glitch in the INEC form, the Lucifers of Anambra politics sponsored an orchestrated media frenzy over a letter purportedly placing Governor Obiano on the Watchlist of the EFCC.   There was no doubt about those whose handiwork set out to create the mischief and embarrass a sitting Governor. Metaphorically speaking, in their furious chase of the Israelites, Pharaoh's men were totally blind to the gaping Red Sea. Similarly, the Pharaohs of Anambra politics did not actually know how they in pursuit of Obiano, dragged the hallowed name of the EFCC into their unintelligent scheme. Everybody except the envious Pharaohs of Anambra politics knows that prosecution cannot be meted to a sitting governor prior first, to a formal notification from the EFCC of any constitutional infringements; and that public pronouncement or open communication of guilt of an office holder serving a term firmly protected by the constitution is a serious infraction. But the former governor and his boys owned up that crime, inferring publicly that they are steeped in that criminal hand-holding with EFCC. In their blind pursuit of Obiano they dragged the name of EFCC in the mud, weakening the anti-graft agency's moral strength in this matter concerning Anambra. In the mind of every Anambra person, this bad move  has already created a public mind-picture of a compromised EFCC. The angry Pharaoh and his boys have erred big time by publishing a picture of the EFCC picking its teeth after lunch with them.


The fabricated report, "Why EFCC is After Obiano" is a trending headline that was crafted to publicly undo Obiano's character but in tonality that headline roars something different. It admits that it was crafted at that lunch table. Otherwise, how on earth could a faceless third-party issue to the public with such clinical certainty the private workplans on the table of EFCC without earning a corresponding public rebuke from the anti-graft agency? It was no brainer interpreting who the face-less author of the purported infraction list is. The outlined list in the fake report is a regurgitation of a tired and retired liturgy. Here are there claims and our answers to them:


1.      11.3 billion Paris Refund squandered. To this ndi Anambra are damagingly asking: Which actually was squandered? Is it 11.5 billion or 17 billion because these two figures have been so tossed and bandied about in the social media? In their haste to imply squander, Pharaoh & company forgot to indicate if the humongous amount was in Naira or other currency. 


2.      Over 75 billion left by his predecessor squandered. To this ndi Anambra are damagingly asking again: Is this not like the exhumation of a body long buried? But to make the corpse look new, the concocted EFCC checklist described it as "over 75billion" to make it look infinite, attempting a stretching of the infiniteness of alleged Obiano's rascality. Again, is the humongous 75 billion in Naira or other currencies?

 

3.      56 million Dollars left by his predecessor squandered. To this ndi Anambra ask: Before now the 56million Dollars was recorded as a component of the phantom 75BN. May be this has now been made to stand alone in order to make the itemized list of Obiano’s alleged infractions longer in the eye of his darling public.


4.      Borrowed and squandered over 111.48 million Dollars from China and India. 

To this ndi Anambra ask: Before a state can access a foreign loan, it must first get the approvals of the State House of Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Debt Management Office. But in their haste to imply squander, Pharaoh and his co-travelers failed to see these details. Or is it to be understood that Obiano jetted to China, connecting India on a spree of private, personal borrowing?


5.       Owing contractors over 200 billion Dollars 

To this, ndi Anambra are still shouting hehehehe e e! Can a zero or two be removed from this twelve-digit figure so that the lie can at least be sellable? How much is Nigeria's internal debt as a whole not to mention Anambra’s?


6.      Collected back from contractors’ money paid to them by Obi for some projects like the three arms zone, new Govt. House, Chief Judge’s house, etc

To this ndi Anambra ask: Was it by consensus or force? And the Contractors have not rioted or gone to court?


7.      1.2 billion Naira Security votes per month

To this Anambra people muse: It looks as if Pharaoh & his boys have been obsessed with this number for eight years. 


8.      Unaccounted IGR stolen

To this ndi Anambra admonish: Until the checklist says how much, please spare our peace and spare yourselves of beer-parlour gossip… 


9.      Question on what happened to gratuities of retirees since 2017.

 To this ndi Anambra say: Answers await the questions. Or should answers come before the questions?


10.   To give account of some of the houses he purchased all over the world, example being the castle at 10 Ruxton rd, off Bourdillion Street, Ikoyi. 

To this Anambra people simply heave a sigh saying "too petty for Pharaoh. "An allegation of global crime is citing a phantom local proof; why not cite one, just one foreign evidence!


11. Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport as "white elephant project." 

To this Anambra people say if they prefer it as a "black elephant project", so be it. We like it. And are thankful to Obiano for the elephant, its colour being of little relevance!


Ndi Anambra long delivered the verdict by giving Obiano victory over his traducers in three consecutive elections since 2017. Obiano has nothing to worry about since records of his stewardship to ndi Anambra are not hidden nor can be denied under frenzied fabrications by unforgiving opponents and his legacies cannot be blotted.


Signed for:

Concerned Anambra Patriots


Dr Okechukwu Udokwu


Barr Okenwa Ilozue

The teen girl, her hygiene, health and the rest of us: Assist the girl project(AGP) to the rescue.

An NGO "Assist the girl project (AGP) has identified a major area in the life of teen girls where most Nigerians show little or no interest.

Menstrual period, proper use of pad and good hygiene during the period.

The founder of the NGO Mrs. Ngozi Umeh revealed that many Nigerian teenagers know close to nothing about the period cycle and what to do while it lasts. She once watched a documentary where it was revealed that many Nigerian teenagers pick used sanitary pads from waste bins, wash and reuse them; an act that could cause serious health problems which includes but not limited to infection, terminal sicknesses etc.

As part of her little effort to contribute to better the society especially in educating the teen girl, she set up an NGO; Assist the girl project (AGP). The NGO was set up mainly to educate young girls and provide them all the information they need concerning menstrual period and how to go about it. Young girls must understand that it is a part of their life and there is nothing they can do about it, instead they should learn to manage it and take care of themselves; she said. Speaking further she encouraged parents especially the women on the need to provide early teachings about menstrual period and the issues around it, rather than shying away from it and letting their daughters learn about it the wrong way.

Mrs Umeh in a bid to educate more girls and provide succour for them called her friends from Nigeria and abroad intimating them of her idea and together they pulled funds together to carry out the project which includes; Educative sessions and providing free good quality pads to the young girls.

The first phase of the project commences tomorrow at community secondary school Amichi targeting over 300 young students and hopes to continue the project on quarterly basis.

She appealed to well meaning Nigerians to key into similar projects or start up one themselves as the high cost of sanitary pads in the market has made it difficult if not impossible for these young girls to keep up with the necessary hygiene required within their period days stressing further that everyone has a role to play in the life of the teenage girl around us.

Useless Prooay

Dead on arrival... Anambra is APGA

Opening Of Anambra Airport Threatened As NSA Directs NCAA, FAAN To Suspend Oct. 30 Planned Start Date Citing Security Reasons

By Taiwo Olumo

The planned and much celebrated opening of Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, Anambra state for commercial operations is under serious threat and doubtful as Nigeria’s National Security Adviser has directed Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to suspend the planned opening of the airport for commercial operations citing security reasons. Anambra state government has been advertising heavily the airport’s opening which is scheduled for Saturday, October 30, 2021.

Sources say that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the centre, including the party’s candidate for the November 6, 2021 Anambra gubernatorial election, Senator Andy Ubah lobbied and prevailed on the Presidency to scuttle the opening of the airport saying that opening of the airport will give the ruling party in Anambra state, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and their gubernatorial candidate, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo extra advantage in the elections.

It is not known how this matter will be resolved, if President Muhammadu Buhari will intervene in favour of opening the airport as planned, but some Ndi Anambra that spoke to this reporter expressed dismay that the APC and Senator Ubah will chose to play politics with the economic development of Anambra state. They cite the agony and heavy traffic that people coming into the state endure on the federal highways leading into Anambra state from towns with nearby airports including Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Asaba.

Anambra APC rolls out the green carpet for the cow as it receives "Igbakigba APC" title

Everyone in Nigeria knows the cow story.... In what seems like an affirmation, Anambra APC as seen in the picture has given a grand reception to "The Cow", rolling out the green carpet (green pastures of Anambra farmland) for the cow to trample and feed, covered with a cloth to protect it.

Looks like a chieftaincy title"Igbakigba APC" was conferred on "the cow", their "number one citizen" whilst they laughed and cheered.

Mazi Ejimofor Opara call your man and latest Ozo title holder Amb Adichie Izuchukwu that Igbakigba APC choro inaru ito afterall echigo ya echichi.

Onye nwere nti ya nuru�

Ejewalum ����

Anambra 2021 Governorship Election, the Ruffles before the Victory

Okechukwu Anarado

Politics is largely local; its democracy brand more so. The dominant political traits of a people are reflections of the common political idiosyncrasies of the constituent persons. These determine the characterization the people’s politics bears. Anambra State is home to notable politicians, urbane statesmen and stateswomen whose diverse but rational dispositions to the play of politics over the years earned the state an exemplary political culture where respect for human dignity and the sanctity of life thrived. This is why the devil-may-care violence visited on Anambra State, and the acrimonious politics the state experiences this election season neither properly represent Anambra State nor Ndi-Anambra. It is an unusual time therefore.

Indeed, events building up to the November 6, 2021 Anambra gubernatorial election disappointingly tend towards validating the widely held notion that politics is largely dubious and most politicians duplicitous.

Without doubts, two major underpinning factors define the noxious political intrigues and the strange security challenges deviously tugging at the socioeconomic mainstay of Anambra State today. First is the palpable victory scare floated by the All Progressives’ Grand Alliance (APGA), following its choice of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo as its candidate for the November 6 poll. The second factor, a reaction upon the first, is the phenomenon of two strange bedfellows identifiable in the hell cast desperation of Senator Andy Uba of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) to muscle his way from a despicable antecedent in Anambra political space to become the state governor; and the crass miscalculation of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressives’ Party (YPP), who despite the weighty burden of a convoluted debt profile, still goes ahead investing huge raw energies in seeking to weirdly appropriate Anambra State Governor’s Office to himself. Other contributory factors in the prevailing harsh politics of Anambra fall in-between the two set factors: Soludo’s unassailable flight and the unchecked gubernatorial impulses of Senators Uba and Ubah.

It is not often that a candidate enjoys as much goodwill as Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of APGA does amongst the electorate in an election as consequential as the November 6, 2021 Anambra gubernatorial poll. For the level of sophistication that the Anambra electorate has acquired, Soludo’s glaring privileged status in the contest is no mere contrived happenstance. It is won by the intimidating résumé he dutifully garnered over time; not any ad hoc conjecture to hoodwink the public into kowtowing to partisan slogans tailored for electoral advantages. Soludo’s impressive combination of superlative intellectual endowment, his consistency in the pursuit and attainment of excellence in the ascending rungs of self-development and public service, and more importantly the obvious hand of Providence in his affairs, institute him ahead of the competition in context. Little wonder the cult followership he commands from an overwhelming population of Anambra people who clamour for his enthronement as the Chief Executive of Anambra State, come March 17, 2022.


The reality of the people’s clamour for Soludo long before the parties’ primary elections dawned on desperate politicians who, having studied the political trend, contrived plots to torpedo his participation in the electoral process. He was calumniated; he suffered death threats leading to loss of lives, but he would not be deterred from yielding to the clear voice of the people. He would not be cowed by the vile brigandry of elements dead sworn to calling the bluff on civilized ethics in politics. Ndi-Anambra’s devotion to APGA, a party they heartily embrace as homegrown and as Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s prized bequest, favourably combines with Soludo’s determination to bring his internationally acclaimed experiences in wealth creation and management home.

The unsavoury records of political rascality and flatulent impudence of Senator Uba of APC; YPP Ubah’s unsparing measures in his pursuits; the tangential effects of Valentine Ozigbo’s (People’s Democratic Party) lethargic presence; Dr. Godwin Maduka’s (Accord Party) mere largesse for the boys; Dr. Obiora Okonkwo’s (Zenith Labour Party) regrettable arrogant repudiation of the zoning scheme, among other peripheral impressions by the other candidates, are ready criteria for determining the way of victory in the November 6 election.



Soludo is by no means a reluctant entrant into the politics of Nigeria. He started seeking the good of society from his undergraduate years when his interest in public affair was established. Since then, his interest in public service has seen him participate in the making and driving of crucial economic policies that have birthed remarkable economic growth in nations and organisations across the globe. Soludo’s professional ingenuity spans beyond his attainment of the pinnacle of economics knowledge as a reputable professor since his 30’s; he became a giant in consultancy on global economy and has creditably served in the highest echelons of Nigerian economic affairs, having served as Chief Economic Adviser to the President and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Planning Commission of Nigeria in President Obasanjo’s regime. At 43, he became the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria where he caused the revolution in the Nigerian Banking industry that stabilized Nigerian Banks and emboldened them as effective participants in global banking business. As a statistics scholar, Soludo is known to be uncompromising with regular appraisal of economic activities in defined polities as a way of measuring the performance of micro economies of his interest vis-à-vis contiguous economies and the macro economy under which they are subsumed. He would often say, ‘If you can’t measure it, you can’t grow it,’ as a way of emphasizing the importance of empirical assessment of the dynamics of an economy.

Anambra has not been better blessed in a person with a consummate capacity to lift the state to a dream development height. In his articulate manifesto, Professor Chukwuma Soludo outlined his vision and mission for Anambra when he becomes the governor. Following his conviction, Ndi-Anambra anxiously wait for November 6 to vote for him in demonstration of their faith in his schedule for a prosperous state.

Okechukwu Anarado writes from Adazi-Nnukwu

Op show us the feet and the sandals you wear so we can deduce why they look at you.


How can you be asking that kind of question without pictures

Watch video here:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM6ASVTnqWY

Obiano: Finishing Strong

Unlike many governors in Nigeria who execute little or no projects towards the end of their tenures, Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Mmaduaburochukwu Obiano has committed himself to the delivering of legacy projects to ndị Anambra.

The magnitude of the projects, their value and importance to the socioeconomic growth of Anambra State; the huge prospects, business and job opportunities, and the revenue that will accrue to the State through these projects, proves beyond doubt, that Gov Obiano has remained focused and true to his promise, to leave Anambra State better than he met it.

His commitment to finishing strong is evident in his dedication towards the completion and commissioning of the Anambra State cargo/passenger airport, Umueri, the 10,000 capacity international conference centre and the Awka township stadium.

Ongoing palliative works on major roads in the State also indicates that Gov Obiano will respond swiftly to the cries of ndị Anambra to rehabilitate damaged roads as soon as the weather improves.

The video below gives more insight to the legacy projects. PLEASE WATCH.

- Ikenna Aniagboso
afachukwugbalu@gmail.com

SOLUDO: The Enthronement of A Government of Practical Economic Rationalism

As the Anambra governorship election draws nearer, it is very important that ndị Anambra, particularly ndi Nnewi-South LGA, look beyond different forms of personal interests and affiliations, political or otherwise, to ensure the enthronement of a people-oriented government that will leverage and consolidate on the achievements of the previous administrations, to move the state to the next level of development for the greater good of the citizenry.

Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, for the November 6th gubernatorial election in Anambra State, posseses the requisite wealth of experience in economic management and growth. He has the contacts and connections to continue and improve the development trends in Anambra state. He represents in totality, the collective yearning of the people for a Greater Anambra. There is no better hand to take over the baton of leadership of Anambra State, come March 2022.

Cee Cee Soludo, a core techno-democrat, renowned economist, development expert, resource manager and political leader with proven records of proficiency and effective leadership in the economic sector, deserves the opportunity to run the affairs of the state at this time, given the current economic challenges and dwindling oil revenue.

The Nigeria economy has been largely dependent on oil since it was discovered in I956. It accounts for 95% of Nigeria's foreign exchange earnings, and with an economy so dependent on one sector, it is almost impossible for it not to have adverse effects and affect everything about Nigeria's socio economic and political structure.

Today, the fall in oil revenues, compounded by unemployment, poverty and insurgency, has put Nigerian States including Anambra, in an economic dilemma. But for the innovative ideas of Gov Willie Obiano, a techno-democrat and astute financial manager, Anambra State would have suffered the economic recession that engulfed the entire country, twice. However, based on recent world poverty projections, about one hundred million Nigerians are in danger of falling into extreme poverty by 2022.

To stem the tide of the impending economic doom, states of the federation are in search of techno-democatic leadership that will steer the affairs of the state for good and this is where Prof Soludo's proficiency becomes needful. We must employ his experience and capacity to protect Anambra State from economic hardship and give it a stable, sustainable and prosperous future.

His profundity, sagacity and proven records guarantees a stable and diversified business environment that will definitely drive the State's economy TOWARDS A GREATER ANAMBRA.

As a people, we need not sacrifice proficiency on the alter of personal aggrandizement and interests that do not add to public value. Rather we should enthrone a government that will ensure the wellbeing of all citizenry and create opportunities for growth and economic development. A government that will guarantee social justice and equal opportunity for every citizen. This is what Soludo represents.

Therefore, bia nu ka anyi nile SOLUDOZIE Anambra!

NNEWI-SOUTH STANDS WITH SOLUDO

© - Comrade Chidozie Venantius Okeke
nirvanamediainfo@gmail.com
APGA NNEWI-SOUTH MEDIA TEAM FOR SOLUDO

Bank Consolidation: Our Monies are Safe, Thanks to Soludo.

The Oxford dictionary defines gratitude as " the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness". Gratitude is one virtue the Igbo people do not joke with because it is believed that a favour done to one is a debt to be repaid in the future. This is why I believe that ndị Anambra will show gratitude to Soludo with their votes on November 6 because he secured their monies in the banks and gave them a  future. 

Ndigbo, especially ndị Anambra, have suffered a lot of as a people as a result of the failed bank syndrome that bedevilled our country years ago. There is no doubt that ndị Igbo are the commercial back bone of Nigeria. They control major commercial activities in all the States of the federation and operate accounts in almost all the major commercial banks.

Truly, there is no trading, business transaction or commercial activity in general that will take place without the banks playing one role or the other. It was therefore a problem for business people when banks suddenly fold up and cease operations.

Ndị Igbo are left to count their losses each time a bank folds up, taking down with it, billions of naira in local and foreign currencies of  businessmen who spent years to build their financial capacities. In most cases some people go from wealth to instant poverty, some who are not strong enough to bear the shock pay the ultimate prize due to high blood pressure etc.

The situation seemed like a helpless one until the 29th of May 2004 when then President Olusegun Obasanjo named Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo as the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Instantly, Soludo rolled up his sleeves and went to work, knowing that the financial fate of Nigerians and ndi Igbo in particular have been placed, to a large extent, on his shoulders.

He vowed that ndi Igbo must stop losing their money in commercial banks and began to reform the banking system. His reforms, focused on "strengthening the financial systems through banking sector consolidation, foreign exchange market, interest rates restructuring and the pursuit of stabilization as against structural adjustment policies for monetary and inflationary controls".

These reforms made weak banks to merge and become stronger. Now the Nigerian commercial banks have become bigger and financially stronger. They have gone on to grow beyond the shores of Nigeria to other African countries, Europe and America.

Ndị Anambra, Ndị Igbo and indeed all Nigerians can now keep their money in the banks and do other financial transactions with assurance and rest of mind. A grateful country and people have shown their gratitude to Soludo by honouring him with many titles and accolades including the third highest national honour, the Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR.

Ndị Anambra especially, will not forget him for saving their businesses and opening new frontiers and opportunities for them. It was at his time as CBN governor that majority of our people obtained licences to own and operate Bureau De Change, BDC, facilities. 

Indeed ndị Anambra cannot forget the good deeds of Soludo because we are not an ungrateful people. It is only right to think that if we could trust him with repositioning the nation's capital and financial sector, then we can trust him with Anambra State's economy.

Traders, Artisans, market men and women, transporters, entrepreneurs and investors will show gratitude to Soludo by voting him and his running mate to serve Ndi-Anambra as Governor on the 6th of November 2021.

Ndị Anambra na ndị Nnewi-South LGA will be ready to show appreciation to Chukwuma Charles Soludo. They will thank him with their votes on Nov 6 maka na ego ha anaghi efuzi na Bank.

NNEWI-SOUTH STANDS WITH SOLUDO

- Daniel Scott Ofoneme
APGA Nnewi-South LGA Media Team for Soludo

APC’S AGENDA FOR ANAMBRA

(By Juventus Chukwunweike Okoli)

Our attention has been drawn to the wider claim which is circulating on the media that the Anambra APC, confident in their wild "federal might" boast, is bent on imposing Senator Andy Uba on the good people of Anambra State without minding the riotous consequences of the action capable of paling the confusion in Imo State following the unpopular foisting of Hope Uzodimma on the state under a highly controversial circumstance that shock the sensibilities of the discerning public. This APC Anambra plot is responsible for the recent defection of some itinerant Anambra politicians from APGA and PDP to APC.

Fact is that Andy Uba is not a new name in Anambra politics. He already has some records in the state and the records must always speak about him to any Anambra voter any day, any time. A public officer does not need too much campaign to win or lose an election, because the role of the officer in discharging the obligations of the office speaks volumes of what is expected from the person on assuming the office of state governor. Such ambitious public servant rests hope on the assessment of his or her capabilities by the electorate who are privy to his or her records that are in public space.

Having said this much, permit me to take you down memory lane for truth is sacrosanct.

If this APC's Andy Uba was the same Andy Uba who was imposed on Ndi Anambra by the PDP hierarchy in 2007, one will not hesitate to say that his records in the public space is deplorable. It is therefore clearly ‘bad market’ for those presenting him for Anambra's numbero uno job. He has no reputation whatsoever for a mention in Anambra gubernatorial contest. How can he stretch his fouled hand to fellowship with other bonafide sons and daughters of the land seeking to be Anambra State governor? How can Andy Uba face Ndi Anambra and ask for votes? How can he, in good conscience, face the people whose state he ravaged and plundered empty in his 17 days contraption as governor.

Ndi Anambra have not forgotten! A character who masterminded the burning of government assets and sold the remaining ones under shoddy circumstances can never win gubernatorial election through a free, fair and credible election in the state. And he was overtly fingered in indecent kidnapping of a sitting governor of the same state that he now wants to govern. What answers does Andy Uba have to give for the sale of Ikenga Hotels owed by Anambra State? How can the people forget the demi-god in Obasanjo’s kitchen cabinet who amassed stupendous questionable wealth therefrom without any easily verifiable impact on his state? This same Andy Uba served as the senator of Anambra South senatorial zone for many years, yet his stewardship has no visible impact on his people.

Truth is Andy Uba has nothing to offer! Ndi Anambra, shine your eyes! A man who as an impostor governor was coming to the office and moving around the state with helicopter who could do the much havoc credited to him in 17 days can only launch Anambra State into perpetual debt in effect of any second usurpation of the people’s mandate. Ndi Anambra cannot touch Andy Uba even with long pole. This is true!

As Andy Uba’s political misstep continues to rev, it is common knowledge that the imposition of Andy Uba through whatever guise spells impunity and rascality in government. Andy simply has nothing to offer Ndi Anambra; he didn’t have in 2007, he doesn’t have now. Uzodimma of Imo whose mode of governance he is hoping to embrace is enough embarrassment for Imolites and Ndigbo.

Finally, may Ndi Anambra, especially stakeholders, civil servants, pensioners and more importantly teachers, know that Andy Uba is anathema in state management affairs. His occurrence means nonpayment of salaries and gratuities, impunity, rascality, wanton killings, kidnapping, herders cum farmers clashes, religious intolerance and crisis, and other vices Anambra has been spared all these APGA years in office.

Ndi Anambra should be alert: arm themselves with their voter’s cards; go cast their votes and guard their votes from fraudulent maneuverers. No level of electoral gangsterism or intimidation can deny Anambra their preferred choice of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo as Gov. Willie Obiano’s successor.

Rivers people demonstrated the efficacy of voting right and guarding their votes, Edo electorate did that too. Anambra will do raise the stake higher in that, I am sure.

Ndi Anambra should not take Andy Uba’s posturing for granted, else the evil plot hatched in other peoples’ lands envelop the good people of Anambra State.

Eternal vigilance!

*Juventus Chukwunweike Okoli is an advocate for good governance, democratic justice and independence.

Other panelists include

Anambra Digital Revolution begins!!!!

Do join us for this event 9.00 am Wednesday 28th July 2021 ...... Register @ http://www./AISS2021

Let us discuss the opportunities inherent in a digital ecosystem.

Join the conversation tomorrow, click on the link to register.

Registration is free!!!

Powered by the Anambra State ICT Agency (ANSICTA)

RE: Court Issues Criminal Summons Against Ex-CBN Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo.

Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo does not own any property in London as being alleged

We are not aware of any court summons to this effect.

This piece of news is not only fictitious but totally fake in all its entirety, therefore it should be completely disregarded.

It should also be noted that this is a season of election coming up in Anambra state and all manners of fake and fictitious news abound.

The general public especially the good people of Anambra state should please disregard this misleading information as it lack substance in every material therein.

Thank you

Christian Aburime
Soludo Media Office

Re: False Report in Saharareporters on Governor Obiano.

Our attention has been drawn to a story in Saharareporters.com alleging that the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano was involved in the plot to kidnap and repatriate Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) from Kenya to Nigeria.

The general public is enjoined to disregard that story because it is totally false without the tinniest grain of truth. The governor of Anambra State had no hand in any plot against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

It should be crystal clear to anyone that the Federal Government of Nigeria headed by Muhammadu Buhari as the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, does not need the assistance of a governor who has no control over any security and intelligence architecture to do whatever it wants to do.

The report is therefore a deliberate act of mischief that should be ignored by the general public.

Thank you

James Eze
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

Igbojihadist:
Good day nairalanders there is this very girl I love so much. I have expressed my feeling to her but she keeps telling me she is not ready yet. It has been four years now and am finding it difficult to move on or love any other girl.

Its ruining me as all i do each day is to think of her, atimes I might decide not to call her again within three days or what she would call me telling me is this the type of love I have for her. I am overwhelmed but she doesn't understand how i feel (please i need advice) plz anyone who would remind me of the present economy should stay off as ur problem is not mine.

I have been there before, please run away. It might seem difficult or even impossible, but the moment you move on and find someone else you will realise how ordinary she actually is. So pick yourself up and move for real.

SOLUDO AS OBIANO's PARTING LEGACY

IfeanyiChukwu Afuba

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano is often reckoned with for giving his State a befitting NYSC Orientation Camp; a Court of Appeal Division; the first oxygen plant in the southeast, a cargo airport, community, self - choice projects and international conference centre among other landmarks. But the choice of a succession candidate in the person of Professor Chukwuma Soludo should be seen as Obiano's parting legacy. It may well be the most definitive of his legacies.

And the reason is simple. Leadership ranks among the highest values of government and governance. Nelson Mandela did not rise to international honour because of the infrastructure he built as President of South Africa. No, he became a hero for inspiring the dismantling of apartheid and forging a stabilising, rainbow framework for the new nation. At the time of Ben Gurion's reign, Israel was in critical need of modern transformation but the former leader is best remembered for the founding of a Jewish nation. Former Premier of the Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo, was rated highly by his constituents as much for his development projects as his vision.

And so from a consideration of management - goals perspective, Senator Ben Murray Bruce declared in just two years of Obiano's governoship: "There is something to be learnt in Anambra."

Thus, while the multiple increase of Anambra's fortunes in many sectors under the APGA - Obiano watch cannot be downplayed, Obiano's greatest achievement in governance may well lie in the reign of standards. From security to social services, from infrastructure to investor - friendly economy, Obiano makes the statement: we're here presently; why can't we move on to the next level?

Governor Willie Obiano's leadership is noted for instilling a sense of confidence in the Anambra State community. "Umunnem", he would invite in that endearing term that never fails to rally, this generation has a duty to push forth the frontiers of development. That insistence on extending the standards of heritage is reflected in the fact that no other government has celebrated the State's galaxy of pace - setters in different walks of life as the present. That consciousness has led the administration break new grounds. Accordingly, Willie Nwokoye submitted that Obiano has raised the bar of governance in Anambra State.

Nwokoye's prediction four years back in 2017 that the Obiano experience would scare off mediocres from future governoship contest has come to pass. As far back as 2019, any discerning student of Anambra politics could tell that Professor Chukwuma Soludo was the APGA heir apparent. And that singular prospect of a very strong APGA candidate influenced the quality of aspirants and contest in the main opposition parties.

Soludo's credentials need no debating. Even members of opposition parties guardedly admire him worthy to be Anambra's next Governor. His choice and grooming in the past three years is a statement on Obiano's commitment to the cause of Anambra State.

The choice of a competent and assertive personality as a successor indicates that Obiano is not interested in someone who will sing his praise when he has left the scene. It had been his testament that the man or woman to take over from him would be someone with the potential to record greater achievements. This type of concern with the public good, with the future of society is the stuff of statesmen.

No doubt about it, Obiano has not been the typical politician. A measure of the social cohesion wrought by his reign is the absence of any major or prolonged crisis in the State in the past seven and half years. In this period the State has enjoyed unprecedented industrial peace.

History would be kind to Willie Obiano for repositioning Anambra State for greater heights. The progressive journey that APGA's 2003 mandate heralded in the State looks set to continue. God has not finished with
Anambra State.

Breaking News

Anambra APGA Primaries: Nwankpo Says Party Is Supreme and declares support for Gov. Obiano’s Choice

June 21, 2021

By Dr Harris Chuma-Odili FCMsp

Ahead of the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA in Anambra state, one of the leading aspirants, Nze Akachukwu Sullivan Nwankpo has thrown his support behind the governor.

Nwankpo's declaration of his support for Governor Obiano's choice candidate was made on Monday evening at his country home Okija where he said that the decision was in the interest of the party in order to be formidable during the November 6, 2021 governorship polls.

“I want to call on all my supporters to follow us in this our quest for a better Anambra State. As a committed member of APGA, I have always stated that party is supreme. Today, it is clear to me that our governor, the leader of our great party, and the Board of trustees Chairman has declared a public support for Prof Chukwuma Soludo. I hereby urge all APGA faithfuls to rally round the governor our amiable leader in making sure his choice is respected” Nwankpo said

The entire campaign team of Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo have welcomed the latest development, and thrown their support behind Governor Obiano in the bid to ensure APGA wins the forthcoming governorship election.

NAN-MEDIA 2021

Meet Master Joshua, A Nigerian Genius Who Built A Robot That Obeys Voice Commands.

Master Joshua Udedibia is an SS1 student of St. John Science and Technical College Alor in Anambra State, Nigeria. In May 15th 2021, the young brain won a highly competitive artificial intelligence competition at Port-Harcout, Rivers State organized by Society of Petroleum Engineers Section 103 Port-Harcourt (South-South and South-East), sponsored by "Total & Shell Oil Companies" He built a robot that obeys voice command and in the process won the first position out of many entries for Anambra State and his school.

Nigeria and Africa continent needs such brains as we trail other continents of the world in technology advancement. This is the time for the government of Nigeria and Africa to encourage young scientifically gifted talents by giving them the needed support for them to excel globally. The victory of young Master Joshua confirms that there is still hope for Nigeria and Africa.

The government of Anambra State, Federal Ministry of Education and thier counterpart in Science and Technology including the Presidency should work in synergy and tap these emerging young talents and build them into tomorrow's tech leaders.

We congratulate the indefatigable Governor of Anambra State for his continued support to education and his partnership with the churches in moulding tomorrow's leaders in Anambra State.

More Pictures

Christ the King College (CKC) Old Boys Association Worldwide Board Of Trustees( BOT), NEC meets; Commends Old Boy Gov. Willie Obiano, Peter Obi others.
-the association promotes brotherhood, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu.


Chukwudalu Ezimmadu


The Board of Trustees (BOT) and National Executive Council (NEC) of the Old Boys Association Worldwide of Christ the King College (CKC) Onitsha yesterday held a meeting at Awka the Anambra state capital with chairmen of different state chapters in attendance to deliberate on how to continue to move the association and their alma mater forward.

The meeting which was hosted by the Chairman of the Board of trustees and former honourable Commissioner For Information and Culture Anambra state High Chief Maja Umeh (Okwoaka Na Anya Amichi) extolled the excellent performance of old boys of the school who at different times and positions has continued to project the school in good light. The meeting commended in a special way the Governor of Anambra State His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano (Akpokuedike Aguleri) for his giant strides as Governor of Anambra State especially in the areas of legacy projects in the State and urged him to continue to make the school and the association proud. The meeting also commended the former Governor of Anambra State His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi who the association revealed made them proud as Governor of the state and continues to do so till date, in the same vein the former Governor of Rivers State Chief Peter Odili received commendations from the association, describing him as the father of the New Rivers state.

Notable among the attendees and receiving commendations too include the former Chief Judge of Anambra State Hon. Justice PNC Umeadi, the secretary to the State Government Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu and the candidate of the People's Democratic party (PDP) in the 2017 gubernatorial election Hon. Oseloka Obaze (OHO).

Reacting to questions after the over 5 hours deliberation, the Secretary to the State Government Prof Solo Chukwulobelu reiterated that the association provides a platform to promote brotherhood amongst the old boys of the college revealing he is a major beneficiary as he and the current Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano were class boys in the college. He commended the Board of trustees and members of the National Executive council for finding time to attend the meeting he also described as a good opportunity to see old friends. Speaking further on the importance of the meeting, Prof Chukwulobelu opined that it was only right that the association as old boys of the college come together and rally round the college, providing both moral and financial support where and when necessary to ensure that other young boys who goes through the school enjoy the good standard of living and the high standard of education which the college is known for, while providing a platform for old boys of the school to rally round each other every now and then in solidarity and brotherhood.


Christ the King College (CKC) Onitsha was founded by the late Archbishop Charles Heerey(Cssp) in the year 1933, the college has continued to prove they are 'primus inter pares'. Ranked in 2014 as the best high school in Nigeria and 36th in Africa, having produced students who ended up being influential people in the country and beyond, some of them in no particular order include; the first black and longest serving principal of the school the late very reverend fr. Nicholas Chukwuemeka Tagbo(OON), the current Governor of Anambra State His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano, the Former Governor of Anambra State His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, the Former Governor of Rivers State His Excellency Chief Peter Odili, the host and Chairman Board of trustees of the Alumni association worldwide and former Commissioner For Information and Culture Chief Maja Umeh, Senator Mike Ajegbo, the Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Onitsha His Grace Archbishop Valerian Okeke, the former Chief Judge of Anambra State Hon. Justice PNC Umeadi, the secretary to the Anambra state Government Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, renowned Computer scientist Philip Emegwali, a former secretary of Health State of California Dr. John Agwunobi. Others are the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputah, Justice Chuba Ikpeazu, Chief Chike Ofodile amongst others too numerous to mention.

Chief Maja Umeh in his closing remarks maintained that the body must continue to act as guide and support system to the college as they hope to produce more great men in line with the motto of the school; Bonitas, Disciplina, Scientia and prayed for journey mercies as they depart and continue to work together to achieve their deliberation

Soludo's Gospel According To Charley Nwa Mgbafor

Soludo's Gospel According To Charley Nwa Mgbafor

By Emeka Ozumba 

The resonance of "Charley Nwa Mgbafor," a new cliche,' slogan of frontline gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo (Odenigbo) is unmistakable.  Like every good political slogan, it is simple, easy to remember and capable of attracting attention. 

Politics plays a central role in everyday life, more so in every election year. As the political parties grapple with the process of nomination of their candidates for the Anambra State for 6th November, 2021, Gubernatorial Election, potential delegates have been inundated with solicitations by aspirants who stridently pitch their desire to become the party flag bearer.  

It is therefore not surprising that wherever we turn to in Anambra, campaign posters with all manner of slogans stare at us, even our phones and news feeds are targeted. Unfortunately, rather than catchy slogans, good content and appropriate messaging, we are suffused with desperate smears and mudslinging by political opponents in the guise of propaganda which leaves one wondering what would transpire when the real campaign kicks off. 

I’ve worked on a few political campaigns and could discern the handiwork of professional political communication managers as well as that of charlatans. Apparently, the lure of the social media space and the audacity of the internet at permiating every nook and cranny has confused politicians in the appointment of Social media handlers in place of professional Political Communication managers thus exposing lack of rigour and restraint in engagement on issues hence the tendency to lose focus and degenerate into attacking personality. 

Experts agree that political communications management demands indepth skills to build relevant value proposition for candidates, conduct consumer research, sift through mountains of data, design complex channel strategies, anticipate win/loss with scenario planning, as well as strategic and competitive tapping of martech. Lack of these, many would agree, has been the bane of the political communications by media handlers of the aspirants across party lines in the last few months. The space has been filled with vitriol, and I dare add, messages lacking in substance. Thus in the ensuing 'rofo-rofo,' the men were hardly distinguishable from the boys. 

Thankfully, the gradual delineation of the motley crowd of aspirants is an opportunity for the parties to bring better focus and direction with issues-based campaign.  For example, with 'Charley Nwamgbafor,' Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who has been a victim of the mudslinging on social media and has been tagged elitist seems to be gradually playing to strength. I have advocated that he is better off addressing major gatherings in Igbo, which he appears very fluent in and should stick to. 

Again, the Charley Nwamgbafor tagline undoubtedly resonates and easily cuts through the message clutter in the race to the grassroots and the rural folks would readily pay attention as he delivers his manifesto. 

Coming from a party that rides on the crest of the masterful "Nkea bu Nkeanyi," (apologies to Brande Aristotle/Winning Concept), distilling and adapting the concept to campaign collateral won't be a hard sell if he eventually emerges as the flagbearer of APGA. But until then, his handlers should stick to the winning value proposition: The gospel according to Charley Nwa Mgbafor! 

Ozumba, a Political Campaign Strategist writes from Urunnebo,  Enugwu-Ukwu.

CAFE: Osodieme charges graduands to make the difference

By Emeka Ozumba

The wife of the Governor of Anambra State and founder of the charity organization, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative, (CAFE), Dr (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme) has charged over three hundred graduands under the NGO's Skills Training and Empowerment programme to make the most of what they learnt by going into the world to make a positive difference.

Mrs Obiano made the call during empowerment of the CAFE 12th Batch Skills Training and Empowerment programme on March 3, 2021, at the Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka.

The three hundred persons, mostly indigent women, widows, youths and the physically challenged, were sponsored by her to a three-week intensive training at the Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneural Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

The graduands who were trained on hairdressing and beauty therapy, bead making, soap making, bakery and confectionery, tailoring and fashion design, information and communication technology, among others, went home with start-up capital and tools for each of their designated skill areas.

The Skills Training programme began in 2020 with a scheduled empowerment regime, but stalled by the advent of the Covi-19 pandemic was later concluded in March 2021.

Mrs Obiano stated that despite the current economic downturn which has made training and empowerment very expensive, CAFE would not ignore basic aspect of the programme which is to give the beneficiaries a practical start in life.

She commended the graduands for successfully completing their trainings, and charged them to go into the business world and make maximum economic impact for themselves and the society. She thanked the managers of Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneural Studies for their support in making the partnership and training a success.

In her remarks, the Anambra State Commissioner for Welfare, Children and Women Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue, said the Governor's wife has made a mark in providing life-time opportunity to the less privileged. Commenting on the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Indigenous Medicine, Dr Onyeka Ibezim, said that the commitment and consistency of Osodieme since 2014 in helping those in need to start a life is exemplary and commendable. On her part, the Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Prof Theresa Obiekezie urged the beneficiaries to handle the equipment well in order to help train others with it since the programme is train the trainer.

Earlier the CAFE Programme Manager and Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Emeka Ozumba, described Mrs Obiano's penchant for benevolence as a dogged show of passion, noting that despite the challenges of COVID-19, she remained insistent in keeping with record schedule in Anambra State.

The Deputy Director, Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneural Studies, Professor Ngozi Ijeomah, in her remarks, noted that the biggest life's investment is equipping humanity to cater for itself independently, a vision that Osodieme has lived, and urged the beneficiaries to tap into the vast entrepreneural opportunities out there.

Others who addressed the graduating students include the traditional ruler of Nteje, Igwe Rowland Odegbo, that of Aguleri, Igwe Michael Idigo. They urged the beneficiaries to see the gesture from the Governor's wife as a socio-economic liberation for those trained to use and achieve financial independence.

Some of the beneficiaries include, Mrs Gladys Anero-Jideani from Anambra East Local Government Area who graduated in tailoring while Mrs Eunice Anumba also of the tailoring class who was the overall best graduating student, prayed for Osodieme and promised to utilize the opportunity to develop themselves and add value to the society.

The current beneficiaries brought the number of persons so far trained and empowered by CAFE since August, 2014 to five thousand, five hundred.

Southeast Nigeria: When Silence is No Longer Golden.

By Ike Chioke

Nigeria and Nigeria’s friends must speak out on the heightened spate of insecurity in the Southeast now before it is too late. What started as a flickering candlelight is quickly snowballing into a huge forest fire. And if we do not act quickly, history will not be kind to all of us who knew the awesome power of speech but chose silence.

The situation in the Southeast is worrisome; not just because of our bitter history but because no great society ever stumbles twice over the same stone in their collective march to progress. While Nigeria has weathered the storm in the Northeast for years, the threat in the Southeast is grounded in a long history of injustice. That is the difference. And we must not gloss over this fact if we want a good understanding of the current problem.

Happily, the reality of modern development is that in many interconnected societies, no sub-group ever suffers adversity alone. Misery often seeks new neighbourhoods to occupy. That is why no part of Nigeria can be said to have been completely insulated from the effects of the sustained insurgency and brazen acts of terror in the Northeast in the past decade. Aside from the untold hardships caused by the destruction of lives, livelihoods and physical infrastructure, the very negative sentiments of insurgency has also cost Nigeria and the region even greater losses in local and foreign investment. And no matter how indifferent some Nigerians might feel, we have all been touched in varying degrees by that situation. But a prolonged conflict in the Southeast will cost Nigeria much more. There is no doubt about that.

And that is why silence is dangerous now. Indeed, we are in a rare moment in time when only sincere, in-depth, and far-ranging conversations can save the impending storm. This is the time to start the conversations. Our leaders in all spheres of life must begin to talk to one another in a language that will heal the land. Our elected leaders must engage at all levels. The governors from the various regions must wake up to their responsibilities and create robust spaces for meaningful dialogue among themselves. The South must meet the North in a dialogue of logic and reason. The time to show all the wisdom, level-headedness and charisma of statesmen has come. Our governors must rise above pride, prejudice, and personal motivations to meet at the table of unity and peace. They must agree that if Nigeria is to work, every part of the federating unit must be treated with as much weight as the other.

The legislators from different regions must commence their own rounds of conversations among themselves. Our political leaders must recognize that as the greatest beneficiaries of present-day Nigeria, they need Nigeria much more than the average Nigerian. All channels of communications between the custodians of traditional institutions across the regions must be opened and sustained. The Emirs must talk to the Igwes, and the Obas and our religious leaders must seek intelligent pathways to roundtable discussions across different zones. Those of us who are in business must also create spaces for dialogue across all spheres. If we do not talk to one another, soon enough, we shall be the ones encouraging those who feel cheated by Nigeria to put a gun to her head.

I am of the candid view however that the Southeast governors have more work to do in the emerging scenario. Since truth is a critical element in pursuit of peace and justice, I think that the Southeast governors should withdraw into the Ime Obi with our aggrieved youths for a family meeting. I have followed developments since the current recrudescence of self-determination, and I have not come across any report of a meeting between our governors and the leaders of the various separatist groups in the region. It is almost safe to assume that there has not been a serious attempt to sit down with them at a roundtable. Democracy thrives on dialogue. Our elected leaders must find a way to engage with different interest groups who have a viewpoint that might affect the wellbeing of society no matter how reactionary they seem. We lay avoidable landmines when we ignore the threat such people represent and allow their grievances to fester into open sores. It is morning yet on creation day though. We can still engage these people to save the day and give our elders a chance for peaceful retirement and our young ones a chance to chase their dreams.

Fellow Nigerians, we all have a responsibility to work towards averting the threatening storm. A war does not always end in victory and defeat. It ends with fractured lives and broken dreams. It ends with disruptions and dislocations. Nobody wins in the end. We will lose families, we will lose friends, we will lose businesses, and the survivors will lose peace of mind. We all end up as losers!

Chioke is an investment banker and CEO of Afrinvest West Africa Limited.

The Igbo Memorial Day: The Day Governor Willie Obiano pulled together Ndigbo from far and wide to honour Igbos who died in the Nigeria-Biafra war and unveiled the Cenotaph erected in their memory at the Alex Ekwueme Square Awka .

Please click the link and watch the video.

We remember
#Ozoemezina
#NeverAgain





Click to watch the video below


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

His Excellency the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano met with the Hon Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Marlin Sylva in Abuja to discuss the possibilities of formally recognizing Anambra State as an oil producing state.