By Duke Imandu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's government has commenced plans to create Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund (HPATF) to tackle increasing poverty index in the country, and deliver on the administration's target of lifting over fifteen million households out of poverty.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Dr. Betta Edu disclosed this today during a meeting with the World bank's Country Director, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri at Abuja. While expressing gratitude to the World Bank for it's continuous partnership with the Nigerian government in the areas of education, health, agriculture, private sector development and social services, the Honourable Minister expressed the Federal Government's readiness in hosting the proposed Humanitarian Dialogue culminating in the creation of Renewed Hope Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund. She noted that the Trust Fund would be funded through budget allocation, development partners, international communities and contributions from the private sector.

Also speaking on the planned expansion of the National Social Register (NSR), Dr. Betta Edu sought the World Bank's support in the verification and expansion of the register by offering technical assistance towards achieving the president's target.

Responding, the Country Director of the World Bank, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, assured the minister of the World Bank's commitment to providing all the required supports and partnership with the refocused ministry. He also hinted that the proposed Social Safety Nets Project fund of $800M will soon be disbursed.

According to Mr. Shubham, "The proposed disbursement of $800M for the Social Safety Nets Project will commence soonest. We will support the verification and scaling up of the National Social Register, provide technical support in the preparation of the Ministry to attend UNGA and give specialized backing for the establishment of the Trust Fund."

A leading youth group in Abia State, Tinubu Support Organisation has commended the All Progressive Congress, APC and its Presidential Candidate, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the successful constitution of an all-encompassing Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) inaugurated today, and the appointment of its State Coordinator, Hon. Prince Darlington Dick into one of the strategic committees.

The group congratulates its State Coordinator, Hon. Prince Darlington Dick who was appointed as a member of the Grassroots Engagement and Orientation, South-East of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). In a statement released by its Publicity and Media Director, Comr. Duke Imandu, TSO Abia State said that it is not surprising that Hon. Darlington was appointed to the Grassroots Engagement and Orientation committee of the PCC noting that his commitment and doggedness in grassroots mobilisation earned him the position.

The statement reads in part:
"It is not surprising that our principal and incoming president of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of our great party, APC found you worthy to be part of the capable hands to drive the 2023 presidential election campaign for the party. Your commitment, doggedness and intelligence earned you this daunting but elevated task.

You have shown capacity and leadership prowess in grassroots mobilisation. The TSO Abia State family is proud of you and confident that your appointment will advance the course of securing a large number of votes in Abia State for our presidential candidate."

The youths reiterate their commitment to delivering the party and its candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential Election.

A leading youth group in Abia State, Tinubu Support Organisation has commended the All Progressive Congress, APC and its Presidential Candidate, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the successful constitution of an all-encompassing Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) inaugurated today, and the appointment of its State Coordinator, Hon. Prince Darlington Dick into one of the strategic committees.

The group congratulates its State Coordinator, Hon. Prince Darlington Dick who was appointed as a member of the Grassroots Engagement and Orientation, South-East of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). In a statement released by its Publicity and Media Director, Comr. Duke Imandu, TSO Abia State said that it is not surprising that Hon. Darlington was appointed to the Grassroots Engagement and Orientation committee of the PCC noting that his commitment and doggedness in grassroots mobilisation earned him the position.

The statement reads in part:
"It is not surprising that our principal and incoming president of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of our great party, APC found you worthy to be part of the capable hands to drive the 2023 presidential election campaign for the party. Your commitment, doggedness and intelligence earned you this daunting but elevated task.

You have shown capacity and leadership prowess in grassroots mobilisation. The TSO Abia State family is proud of you and confident that your appointment will advance the course of securing a large number of votes in Abia State for our presidential candidate."

The youths reiterated its commitment to delivering the party and its candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential Election.

[6:46 PM, 9/17/2020] Mainline: Young Visioneers' Association of Nigeria (YVAN)
-Nigerian Youths Forum-

17-09-2020

PRESS RELEASE

YVAN Hails USA on Visa Ban Issued to Election Riggers in Nigeria, Urges Other Western Countries to do Same

The Young Visioneers' Association of Nigeria (YVAN) applauds the United States of America on its recent visa ban handed down to some Nigerian politicians who were involved in electoral malpractices in the previous elections conducted in the country.

On September 14, 2020, the Department of States, through its spokesperson, Morgan Ortagus, had issued a statement containing the long awaited visa ban on some politicians who can better be described as enemies of the country by virtue of their hell-bent involvement in destroying the democratic values of Nigeria by being in the forefront of election rigging in the country.

YVAN, as a leading youth body in Nigeria, notes that the ban is a welcomed development. Though the visa ban and even more stringent measures were long expected, but it is better late than never. The Nigerian youths have been at the receiving end of the many negative effects of electoral malpractices. The politicians who get to occupy political positions through corrupt practices and electoral frauds, end up embezzling public funds meant for the development of the country, and continue to leave the country in perpetual ruins.

The youth group believes that past elections in Nigeria were not free and fair with reference to the recent Kogi and Bayelsa states elections which were a charade of what democratic elections should be. The YIAGA Africa and other foreign observers' reports corroborate to this stance. The judiciary on its part, has continued to disappoint the Nigerian masses. As against being the last hope of the common man, the judiciary through its judgements on electoral matters, has continued to affirm such electoral frauds committed against the people.

The Nigerian Youths Forum - YVAN - once again appreciate the USA for setting this pace. The appreciation is also extended to the United Kingdom for its recent warning of intention to issuing visa bans and seizure of foreign assets belonging to any politician who engages in electoral malpractices in the forthcoming Edo and Ondo states guber elections. While asking other western countries to also do the same, the youth group therefore encourages the UK to ensure that it keeps to this warning.

It is now obvious that above every other thing, Nigeria needs urgent electoral reforms, and revitalization of the judiciary. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is therefore urged to live by its name and be truly independent.


YVAN National Media Unit

By Lawrence Agbasoga

The name Chief Hope Uzodinma, the Senator from Orlu zone of Imo State has gone down in the history of Imo State as the leader who rescued Imo State at this time from the iron grip of an Emperor who had cowed virtually everyone in the state into submission to his insistence on running a dynasty here in the eastern heartland. Like Moses of ancient Israel, God had sent him to deliver His people of Imo State who had been subjected to extreme poverty, deprivation and inhuman treatment in the hands of an emperor who had found it unnecessary to partner with them in the task of developing the state or in the business of governance.

According to Woodrow Wilson, the 28th American president, "the ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people". That is Chief Hope Uzodinma! As a leader his ears had been saturated with the voices of his people and he could not help but respond.
The "deliverance" of our dear state from the tight grip of Governor Rochas Okorocha whose insistence on succeeding himself by proxy through Uche Nwosu is an indictment on our so-called leaders who, at the most critical time in the life of this state, preferred to do nothing but only complain, Complain alone could not achieve much. Action was needed and the man of action came on board and the result is the joy across the state in all homes. As a result of the acceptance of Chief Hope Uzodinma's governorship bid, a royal father I met last December told me he was not a member of APC but that he would vote for the senator, just for being able to confront and engage Okorocha squarely and defeat him, setting the state free from the injuries inflicted on it by the present administration.

The politics of Imo State today is of individuals and not of political parties or zone of origin. It is a weak and infantile argument for anyone to say that Orlu zone should not produce a governor again. Where were the so-called astute, dogged politicians from Owerri, Okigwe and even Orlu zones when Chief Hope Uzodinma took on Okorocha for the sake of Imolites? Why did they just look on when Okorocha was carefully perfecting his plans to succeed himself through his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu? The intervention of Senator Uzodinma proved his love for the state. Materially, he is comfortable. But like our saviour Jesus Christ who left his comfortable abode in heaven and became human, just for humanity's sake, to save us, even so chief Hope Uzodinma counted his personal comfort as nothing when the generality of his people of Imo State were crying and in pains as a result of injuries inflected on them by bad governance. He could not isolate himself from our excruciating pain, hence his intervention!

The argument of zone of origin remains weak. Chief Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory still holds |he record of achievements in the governance of this state. He hailed from Obowo in Okigwe Zone.
Today, when Chief Sam Mbakwe is mentioned, Obowo or Okigwe zone is not mentioned or remembered. This is because Mbakwe did not consider himself as coming from Obowo or Okigwe zone. He saw the entire state as his constituency and regarded everyone in it as brothers and sisters. He did not run a family government, neither did he treat Obowo or Okigwe zone as special. He is remembered today for his good works which were possible due to his leadership skills that made him place the best brains around into positions of responsibility. That is good leadership. The opposite of this is Governor Okorocha's style of considering members of his family first, associates, and then people from Ideato nation. This is wrong and leads to poor performance as in the case of Okorocha. From the same Okigwe zone as Chief Mbakwe came Ikedi Ohakim as governor. He didn't do well and in 2011 even people from his own Isiala Mbano joined forces with other Imolites to sack him. It is not about zone of origin, but about a leader's heart. Hope Uzodinma is not materialistic. I was once told that since he became Senator in 2011, this Oru East born "deliverer" has never bought any piece of land or house, but has committed himself to serving humanity. Imo needs such a leader who is not sectional. We need someone who will allow the people's common wealth to spread across board. Imolites don't need a leader who will stockpile their commonwealth for the purpose of financing the next election and deceive them with sub-standard infrastructure. We need a true servant -leader who will see the entire state as his immediate constituency. Hope Uzodinma represents what this state needs at this time, hence everyone sees him as the expected Hope of this state.
The choice of Prof. Piacid Njoku as running mate and the recent Imo Stakeholders meeting facilitated by Senator Hope Uzoinma depict a leader eager to deliver on his electoral promise.

At the stakeholders meeting, Senator Uzodinma required of Imo people themselves to articulate a way forward for the State. He is not a man that claims to know it all. The expected governor of the State believes that no person is a repository of knowledge. Senator Uzodinma has on many occasions- by words and action -agreed with former president George W.H. Bush who said thus: uuse power to help people. For we are give power not to advance our own purposes nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one use of power and it is to serve people".

Imolites must get it right this time. Out-fashioned sentiments like zoning must be abandoned, especially now that our dear state is in a critical situation. We must not toy with our lives today and in the future. This state needs a true patriot in the class of Chief Sam Mbakwe to re-position the state after years of plunder and mismanagement. Hope can be trusted. He loves our state. He is an Imolite who hates injustice, man's inhumanity to man and greed. As an individual he has touched lives<cross the state. Igbos believes that certain names have something divine associated with them. When the parents of Senator Hope Uzodinma named him, they had no thought he would one day be the expected Hope of a great state like ours. There is really something divine in Senator Uzodinma's intervention in the governorship affairs of our state and we must not lose sight of that. Imo needs him now. He listens, fears God, cares, not materialistic, and he is one of us.

HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT IMO PEOPLE DID TO SENATOR ARARAUME AS HE WENT FOR SHOPPING YESTERDAY?
Watch video and pictures here

On May 14, 2018, distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume took out time after the successful LGA Congress of APC which took place all over the state to go buy himself a few items.
He went to a popular Supermarket chain in the state capital Owerri, and after shopping, a brave staff of the mall ran to him saying "MY NEXT GOVERNOR, CAN I HAVE SOME PHOTOGRAPHS WITH YOU Sir?" The Federal Commissioner representing South East in the National Communications Commission (NCC) granted the request. Other staff of the shopping mall upon seeing how friendly and easy going the senator was, ran to him for their own photo sessions.
They sang, danced and prayed for him to succeed in his political intentions for the state.

The Imo State government today, locked the government house gate against some Imo State women who came to express their solidarity to women all over the world, and demand for good governance.

The women under the aegis of Women Unite To Live Initiative, a non governmental organization, trooped out in their numbers to seek audience with the state governor today which is recognised as International Women's Day. The women however, were met with stern looking security men at the gate who seemed to have taken order from inside to send the women away.

Some of the women who spoke to journalists around the government house gate said that they were informed by the security men that neither the governor nor any other government official was ready to receive them. According to the organization's president, Comrade Mrs. Chika Nwachukwu, "we are here at the government house to celebrate women worldwide and also call for good governance but they told us at the gate that the governor is not around, the Chief of Staff is not around, in fact, that there is nobody in the government house to talk to us."

The group which noted that the standard of living in the state has deteriorated, lamented that "there is no electricity, no health care, no water, no food. Women are dying". They said they are calling for end of violence against women, free education for the female child, women empowerment and proper remuneration for men who are their husbands. They said that this will complement their programmes of going round the communities of the state to empower women through skills acquisition.

Also, in a written address they made available to journalists, the group called on the Federal Government to expedite actions towards the rescue of the abducted Chibok and Dapchi girls.

Today, March 8 is celebrated as International Women's Day worldwide as it was declared by the United Nations in 1975.
One will wonder why a government will decide to treat women with disdain on day like this which they are being celebrated elsewhere in the world.

By Duke C. Duke

The stakeholders of All Progressive Congress (APC), Imo State, has dissociated themselves from what they call indescriminate endorsement of Hon. Uche Nwosu by few biased members of Imo APC. The stakeholders under the aegis of The Restoration Coalition, APC, Imo State in a communique released in Owerri on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 described the activities of the Rochas Okorocha's led government as unfortunate, stating that it is capable of bringing disgrace to the party in the forth coming general elections.

The group which rejected the endorsements said that they were "obtained by blackmail, coercion and intimidation".
Part of the communique reads

"4. However, having been seeing and witnessing contemptible, despicable and condemnable happenings in our great party in the state in recent times, we are convinced that unless urgent steps are quickly taken in calling certain people to order, the APC is headed for a shameful, abysmal and colossal failure in the state in the 2019 elections - this will tragically cut across and regrettably affect the Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly chances. We sincerely, call on Governor Rochas Okorocha as the leader of the party in Imo State, to instill law, order, discipline as well promote peace and tranquility as the party gets set for the all important primaries in the state.
5. Certainly, we totally, without any reservation, condemn the clandestine Endorsements, indiscriminate Adoptions and wanton "Anointments" of certain elements in the party without due processes and without any regard to laid down procedures and respect for party leadership and discipline. It is quite disturbing that these endorsements obtained by Blackmail, Coercion and Intimidation are taking place in the hallowed orbit of the Imo State Government House under the watch of the Governor. We are embarrassed because this theatre of the absurdity, as we have confirmed, has the full backing and financial muscles of Imo State Government as the persons being endorsed, one Chief Uche Nwosu, his Son In-Law is also his serving Chief of Staff. As a matter of fact, this is an anomaly and points to a dangerous and destructive party politics of APC in Imo State. We, therefore, call our members to caution as endorsements do not frankly reflect the true picture of Imo APC. We call on Governor Owelle Okorocha to act as a true unifier, a leader to ensure a level playing field for all APC aspirants in all positions. To that effect, we reject in its entirety the endorsements of Uche Nwosu as being currently carried out in our party. This is so because these leprous endorsements have the capacity and capability of truncating and dismantling the very cord that binds us together as family. We respectfully urge Governor Okorocha to be very sensitive to the name, integrity and sanctity of Imo as an entity and the thrust, honour and dignity that go with the governorship enterprise.
6. We wish to insist that natural justice, equity, fair play and democratic norms must take their natural course as we step closer to the Imo State APC primaries and subsequently, the elections thereof. It will be politically suicidal for the Imo State Governor to emerge from Orlu zone after Governor Okorocha’s eight years rule making a total of 16 years of ORLU GOVERNORSHIP. This is improper and if imposed will be resisted by all responsible and conscientious members of the Party."

The coalition also condemned the recent attack on Archbishop AJV Obinna, the Bishop of Owerri Catholic Diocese, by some group of men purported to be working for the state government.
"It is our opinion as a party that we take exception to the insinuations emanating from the media crediting the actions to APC. That is not our Character as a Party.", the coalition said.

Thank you our Senator Ifeanyi Ararume for speaking up against this evil

SEN. IFEANYICHUKWU GODWIN ARARAUME; A LIFE OF DESTINY & SERVICE


Writing about the person of Distinguished Senator Ifeanyichukwu Godwin Araraume is a herculean task as one is confused as to where to start from. It is akin to the blind man who was asked to touch an elephant and describe what he felt. How do you talk about a business titan, political colossus, Senator of the Federal Republic, silent philanthropist, dotting father and loving grand dad, notable Nigerian and statesman.

 

Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume can be described as a child of destiny with his steps, guided by God almighty. A sole male child kept alive by God to fulfil his purpose in life. A man who from dint of God’s grace and hardwork is today one of the most prominent and influential men in the political firmament of Nigeria; a recurrent political decimal in Imo and Nigerian politics.

 

BACKGROUND

Araraume hails from a community known as ISIEBU in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State and was born on 16th December, 1958, to the family of late Mr. Marcus and Mrs Grace Adaezi Araraume with strict Christian discipline and standards. This training is responsible for his Christian ethics of fidelity, strong will, faith in God and charity.

                                 

ACADEMIC PEDIGREE

The young Araraume attended St. Eugene’s Primary School, Eziukwu Aba now in Abia State and St. Christopher Primary School, Umuluwe, Osuachara in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State and thereafter proceeded to Sapele Technical College, Sapele in Delta State and later to Dick Tiger Memorial Secondary School, Amaigbo, Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State where he finally finished his secondary school education.

With a burning for success and with the knowledge that a university degree will set him on the route achieve his dreams, he sojourned to the United States of America where he bagged a first Degree in Business Administration from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia. Not satisfied with thirst for more knowledge, Araraume went further to burnish his academic laurels with a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Benin, Nigeria. He has attended several conferences and workshops to update his knowledge and keep abreast of social, economic and political dynamics of modern society. In addition, he is an avid reader with an eye for details.

 

LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS AS AN ENTERPRENEUR
Often times when men attain high political offices, it blights their achievements in other spheres of life as people only remember them for their political activities. Senator Araraume’s accomplishments are not restricted to politics alone as he had made a success of his business pursuits before venturing in to the murky waters of Nigerian politics. In business, he has succeeded with dogged determination to build a conglomerate that has taken hundreds of youths off the labor market.

He has vast business interests in Construction, Retail, Real Estate, Banking, Insurance and Trade. He is the Chairman of Exclusive Stores Limited, Climax Insurance Brokers Ltd, Harmony Properties Limited and a one-time Director, defunct Inland Bank Plc (now part of FCMB) etc.  

In a bid to reduce the unemployment situation in his home state of Imo, he is currently building two industries in Owerri to strengthen the State’s economy and provide jobs for Imo youths’ that will house a branch of Exclusive Stores and Bakery in Owerri.

                

POLITICAL ODYSSEY

Having achieved some measure of success in his business pursuit and desiring to make contributions towards a better Nigeria, Sen Araraume joined partisan politics in the Third Republic. Prior to this time, he has been involved in assisting others gain political power and nominating people to offices, former Gov Ikedi Ohakim benefitted from his magnanimity when he nominated him as a commissioner at the request of Sen Evan Enwerem, the former Governor of Imo State.

 

In the realm of politics, Senator Araraume’s political experience includes being:

The pioneer State Chairman of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP);

later ANPP in Imo State (1998 – 1999)

State Treasurer, Liberal Convention in old Imo State (1988 – 1989)

Member, National Finance Committee of the National

Republican Convention (NRC) from 1990 to 1993, and

Chairman, NRC Presidential Primaries for Kwara and Delta States.

He was elected to the Senate in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003.

Senator Araraume is currently a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

 

ACHIEVEMENTS AS A SENATOR
Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume was elected Senator for  Imo North, Okigwe Senatorial Zone of Imo State, Nigeria at the start of the Nigerian Fourth Republic in 1999 on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He was re-elected in April 2003 and served out his term.

 

POSITIONS HELD IN THE SENATE
While in the Senate, Senator Araraume held the following positions:

Chairman, Senate Committee on Power and Steel Development.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
Pioneer Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on the Niger Delta.
Chairman, Southern Senators’ Forum.
Chairman, South-East Caucus Committee on the creation of an additional State for the South-East.

Chairman, Senate Committee for Public Hearing in the South-West on Constitution Amendment.
Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Vice Chairman South-East Caucus of National Assembly.  

Legislative Achievements:    
Senator Araraume was a First Class Senator and one of the most outstanding legislators’ in the Senate between 1999 and 2007. He had his imprimatur on all major activities of the Senate in his time and recorded the following achievements:        
He was influential in the decision of the Constitutional Review Committee of the National Assembly to include a recommendation urging the Federal Government to create an additional state for the South-East; he led a delegation of Lawmakers from the South-East to mobilize support for this objective.

He facilitated the rehabilitation of the Okigwe Regional Water Scheme by the Federal Government.
He attracted the Okohia-Isiebu-Umuelemai Road.
He attracted the Okigwe-Umuelemai-Isinweke-Umuahia Road.
The Isiebu Community Water Scheme.
The Isiebu Community Police Station.
Transmission Lines from Alaoji to Okigwe and provision of transformers (including MV Transformers) to many Communities in Imo, Abia and the entire South-East.
He attracted the NTA Station, Okigwe.
The Anara Power Station (Exchange).
He attracted, through the NDDC, a road from Isinweke to Umuahia with a second bridge across the Imo River.

He was the Pioneer Vice-Chairman of the Niger Delta Committee and played a major role in the inclusion of Imo and Abia as NDDC States. The original bill presented by President Olusegun Obasanjo did not include Imo and Abia State etc.

 

Awards/Recognitions

A golden fish, they say, has no hiding place. Although a man not used to undue publicity and self-glorification, Araraume has been roundly been recognized for his business acumen, managerial dexterity and political accomplishments. He is a recipient of the following merit awards:

Fellow, Institute of Sales Management of Nigeria (FNISM).

Fellow, Institute of Sales Management of Nigeria (FNISM);

Fellow Institute of Corporate Administration (FICA) etc. 

Patron, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ);
Grand Achiever, Field of Science, Faculty of Science Students Association, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife (GAFS)
Recipient, Justice of Peace Award
Award for outstanding performance by the Umuduru Development Administration, Lagos Branch; 
Honorary Fellowship of the Institute of Internal Auditors of Nigeria; 
World Figure of Outstanding Leadership Union; 
Award for Excellent Performance by the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM);
Award for Democracy & Good Governance by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja Council;
Best Serving Senator of the South East (2003 – 2007) award by Encomium Magazine etc.
         

HIS QUEST TO GOVERN IMO

Sen Ifeanyi Araraume believes there is a limit to what his personal wealth and influence can do to alleviate the suffering of people around him. He knows that with the instrument of government, he can reach as much people as possible with amenities and opportunities with proper utilization of resources, probity, due process and respect for rule of law. This underlines his quest for political power and the desire to occupy the seat of Governor of Imo State. As an individual, he is comfortable with the little God has blessed him with. He has been quoted to have said severally that he doesn’t desire to be governor for personal aggrandizement or as a laurel on his political accomplishments but sees the office as an instrument to help others and provide an enabling environment for others, especially the youths to achieve their dreams in life. His solid Report Card and dividends attracted to his senatorial zone indicates a man who says what he means, and means what he says. A man who power doesn’t intoxicate or moved by its privileges and pecks. A man who  keeps to agreements and faithful to his friends’ and associates alike.

By Ik Ogbonna, M.Sc, PGDJ, anipr

Special Adviser on Media to Sen Ifeanyi G. Araraume.

The Game Changer Series – PART 1

ARARUME’S BUSINESS EMPIRE – His Impact Outside Politics.

By Duke C. Duke.

The last time I was in Abakaliki, I was discussing with someone about the political aspirations of Distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume. Amidst the discussion, he asked me, “what exactly does this Ararume do? I mean, what exactly is his job outside politics?”. That question called my attention back to a scenario in this part of the world.

We have chequerred system in this country where some political players do not have a substantive means of livelihood before their now celebrated political entrance. And unfortunately, the masses do not care, nobody wants to know. That is why we have a lot of hitherto jobless people who are now being hailed in politics, just like what we are seeing in Imo ‘agburu’ political dynasty today. So we have a young man whose father-in-law is desperate to dump on the governorship stool of Imo State by all crooked means; a young man who has no traceable means of livelihood before the same ‘nnam-oha’ father-in-law of his, hoisted him on various unmerited positions; a young man whose only qualification was that he is from agburu ha. Anyway, let me leave this for another day and hit the focus of this piece at once.

After Senator Ararume returned from U.S.A. where he obtained his B.Sc. in Business Administration, from the prestigious Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia, he went straight to the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria where he bagged M.Sc. in International Relations. The ambitious young Ararume then, delved into private business and became a key player in that sector.

An employer of labour, Senator Ararume has interest in Real Estate, Insurance, Retail, Trade, Construction, and Banking. He established Exclusive Stores Limited which runs in Abuja and Benin City, Edo State with hundreds of employees across tribes and religion. He is presently putting finishing touches to the Owerri branch of Exclusive Stores where over a hundred Imo youths will be employed soon.

He is also the Chairman of Climax Insurance Brokers Limited, and Harmony Properties Limited. The senator is presently building two industries in Imo State which will provide another hundreds of job opportunities for Imo youths as well as strengthen the state’s economy. In his banking career, the Isiebu Mbano born senator rose to the position of a director in the defunct Inland Bank Plc which is now part of FCMB.

This former Chairman of Southern Senators is a member of many professional bodies among which are: Institute of Chattered Insurance, London: Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture: Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). Again, in recognition to his accomplishments in business and politics, Sen. Ararume is a recipient of some fellowship merit awards including: Fellow, Institute of Sales Management of Nigeria (FNISM), and Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration (FICA).

The Distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume has proven himself to be a renowned manager, astute administrator, a great team player and a successful business man.
Now you know…

Duke C. Duke wrote in from Calabar.

By Chukwudi Obi

The Abia State chapter of Young Visioneers' Association of Nigeria, YVAN, a national youth pressure group, has called on youths in the state to participate actively in both politics and the process of choosing their representatives.

This is even as the group has rolled out activities to ensure massive public enlightenment and mobilization of youths at the grass root level.

Speaking during their monthly general meeting in Umuahia, the state capital recently, State Coordinator of the group, Comr Stanly Nwankwo reiterated the group's commitment to ensuring active youths participation in the electoral process in the state.

Comrade Nwankwo who stressed the need for more young people to be actively involved in politics, noted that part of their enlightenment campaign will focus on building the capacity of the youths such that they can hold elective positions as well as hold elected officials accountable apart from participating actively in the electoral process in the state.

According to Nwankwo who urged youths to shun selling their votes for any amount of money, the best way to enthrone true democracy in the state is to ensure that all stakeholders including the youths are active participants in the process of electing their officials.

Nwankwo, however lamented the nonchalant attitudes of many youths in the state to the on going voter registration exercise across the country adding that the figures peddled on some social media platforms indicate that the south east has the lowest number of registered voters.

In his own speech, the state Publicity Secretary of the group, Ambassador Duke Imandu averred that the group will embark on the sensitization campaign as part of its community mobilization project, insisting that youths who have not registered for their voter's card will be encouraged to do so.

In his words, "YVAN will select some local government areas in Abia that will be visited in the first phase of the sensitization campaign. After that, another group of LGAs will be selected for the next batch."

The Publicity Secretary added that the campaign will expose the youths to the benefits of political participation and dissuade them from being paid agents or mercenaries of desperate politicians whose wish is to kill and maim in order to win elections.

Ambassador Imandu opined that the enlightenment programme will also offer opportunity for the youths to learn financial intelligence, budget tracking and good governance apart from teaching them leadership and management skills even as he hinted that the group will liaise with the Abia State INEC Commissioner and other officials at Local Governments level to ensure a hitch free voter registration exercise in rural communities.

NATIONAL YOUTH GROUP APPOINTS ABIA CHAPTER INTERIM EXCOS  - Maps out strategies for massive mobilization of youths.

By Chukwudi Obi


All is set for a national youth group, Young Visioneers Association of Nigeria (YVAN), Abia State Chapter, to pay familiarization visits to some of the security agencies and justices in the state.

The visits, it was learnt are to solicit for support and partnerships for its campaign on youths involvement in politics, campaign against youth indiscipline and corruption, youths registration for voter's card and campaigning against youth involvement in electoral violence.

This is even as the group has appointed interim officers to fill in vacant positions to help reposition the group in a bid to break new grounds.
These formed part of the highpoints and resolutions taken at the group’s monthly meeting recently held in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital.

The new appointees include:
Comrade Stanley Nwankwo – State Coordinator, Amb. Duke Imandu- Deputy State Coordinator / Publicity Secretary and
Comrade Ikpengwa Uchenna - Secretary.
Others are Comrade Eziaha Odinkenmere – Treasurer, Comrade Yakubu Akofe Mutiu - Organising Secretary, Comrade Clifford Egwu - Welfare Director, Comrade Iyke Atumah - Financial Secretary and Comrade Amos Ocholi - Umuahia South Coordinator.



Some of the resolutions taken at the well attended meeting to ensure the group realize its vision to be a force to reckon with in the state include massive grass root mobilization and sensitization, courtesy visit to members of the judiciary, the various traditional rulers, security agencies, and paid advertisements in radio stations and on social media platforms.

Young Visioneers Association of Nigeria (YVAN) is a national youth pressure group whose aim is to restore the fallen moral standards in the society apart from charting a new course for youths who have a blurred vision of life.

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